The Azerbaijani Ombudsman recommends waiting for the results of the investigation into the death of chief editor of Tolishi Sado newspaper Novruzali Mammadov. “We must await the results of the investigation on Mammadov’s death held by the Azizbayov District Prosecutor’s Office. No one had any doubt that he was ill. If his illness had been confirmed, I would not like to see groundless ideas on the reasons of his death,” Azerbaijani Ombudsman Elmira Suleymanova told journalists on Aug. 25.

Accused of collaborating with Iranian intelligence agencies and sentenced to 10-years imprisonment, Mammadov died on Aug. 17 at the clinic of the Penitentiary Service. Preliminary conclusions imply that cause of death was acute thrombosis of the brain.

On 28 July of this year, the chief editor was sent to the neurological department of the medical institution from Prison No. 15. Mammadov was experiencing osteochondrosis of the cervical and lumbar vertebrae and right plexus, gradually progressing second stage hypertension, the residual effects of acute obstructive bronchitis, chronic cholecystitis, cataracts at an embryonic stage, damage of the vitreous membrane, hypertonic angiosclerosis, nodular toxic goiter at its first stages and a prostate adenoma growth.

68-year old Mammadov was head of department at the Linguistics Institute of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences. He also led the Centre of the Talish Culture. Accused of the articles 274 (treason) and 283 (incitement of national, racial or religious hatred), Mammadov was sentenced to ten years imprisonment.

Suleymanova said as a result of the intervention by employees to the medical institution, Mammadov was transferred to a separate ward of the hospital.

“We have monitored Novruzali Mammadov’s state since his detention at the National Security Ministry and systematically informed the media. Our officials met with the chief editor a few days before his death. At that time, his state was moderately satisfactory. And so we do not have any reasons to cast shadow on the opinion of doctors,” said Suleymanova.

She said the Penitentiary Service of the Ministry of Justice has not received any appeals from the chief editor’s family members in connection with an investigation into the fact of his death.