Number eight

Dedicated to 8 young men currently facing jail time. For what? For speaking their mind! For being young and for doing what they believe in! They have been on a hunger strike as a sign of protest but it has done little to change the wicked orders. This is yet another disgusting attempt by the authorities to silence the country's future- its youth.

***

why do you hate?

for what, oh please be kind and reiterate

and please tell me there is an expiration date

on that deep, disgusting hate!

is it for freedom of one's mind?

or your jealousy of an existence of such mankind?

don't worry the day will come for you to find

the punishment for suffering you've mastermind

but till then lets evaluate your hate

oh yes, that's filthy, gross and nasty state

so let's begin with who you are?

a snake? awaiting for your bait?

that sounds just about right

a snake-that bites at day and night

who else you are?

no, no, you are a madman sucked in hate

and all you care about is large estate

living a life in that presumptuous state

you are a truly snake, with venom ready not just for 8

despite you knowing their innocence

you bite right through them without any wait

just like a vicious snake would readily disarm its bate

but not to worry, there is a cure even for your hate

there is this thing called justice gate

and soon you too will hit its door

and there you'll see the sadness you've deplored

the pain you have imposed upon

the lies you've fed, not once

and not just to innocent number 8

but to the millions of this country's men

We are on hunger strike- statement by N!DA activists

Below is the text from the statement of N!DA activists who are facing prison terms from 6.5 to 8.5 years. These young men were arrested on trumped up charges and are on hunger strike together with their parents. 

WE ARE ON HUNGER STRIKE / STATEMENT
We, 8 persons prosecuted connected to the prominent Nida case as a result of repressions started against Nida Civic Movement on 7 March 2013, are in prison. Our interrogation for a few hours during 7 months of preliminary investigation and humour spectacle called “court” has proven that, we are in prison as a consequence of a political order, for exercising our rights. The fact that, throughout half a year of the court proceedings our petitions have been turned down, testimonies and objects, which cannot be considered as proofs are being considered as such, shows that, tough accusation judgment is expected against us. Today’s demand of the public prosecutor to sentence us for prison term of between 6.5 and 8.5 years is a proof for that. We are starting a hunger strike with demand of our release protesting this political discrimination and repression. If we approach this issue more realistically, we consider that, the authorities are not going to confess that, the process, which has been going on for more than a year is politically motivated, and will not acquit us. Therefore, we suggest the authorities to show political will and release us from prison through any method. Our aim is to achieve freedom through peaceful means - eternal method of Nida.

We have taken all the possible harms into account. We are strong and resolute. We believe that, we will get our freedom.
undersigned:

Shahin Novruzlu
Mammad Azizov
Bakhtiyar Guliyev
Rashad Hasanov
Uzeyir Mammadli
Rashadat Akhundov
Zaur Gurbanlı
Ilkin Rustamzada

And here is another letter written by one of the young men- Rashadat Akhundov:

Dear friends,

We have started hunger strike since yesterday, April 17th. Our decision is a serious one. We ask of you and our parents not to request of us to halt of the strike. In any case, such a request will be refused. This is a new phase of the moral and dignified struggle for your and our freedom. Perhaps it is the last phase for us. Since either they have to set us free, or we will leave this place as dead corpses. There is no other way. This is our only demand.

We love you all.

Rashadat Akhundov,

prisoner of conscience

To help these eight young men, you can sign the following petition.

Petty matter no more?! Prisoner of conscience- Taleh Khasmammadov released from jail

Yesterday, Taleh Khasmammadov, blogger, was released from prison by decree of pardon signed by the President Ilham Aliyev. His first words [AZ] outside of jail were, "Everything feels more valuable. Freedom is sweet." He also spoke of the conditions inside the prison- beatings, torture and corruption are becoming reoccurring incidents with overall situation worsening, especially in the last few months.

If only the rest of the arrested journalists could taste that sweet freedom too...