Inmates on hunger in Gobustan jail can be held accountable

"They can be held accountable for this. It seems to them as if they can get alleviation of their sentence. But, it is almost illogical," the justice Ministry penitentiary officer Musa Humbatov told APA.

He said that any prisoner can achieve solution of their problems in a legal way. "Their going on hunger strike can not pressurize the government," he said.

"All prisoners are treated in the same way in Azerbaijan. At present no inmate is on hunger strike in Gubustan Closed Jail. There are 600-700 prisoners," he added.

He noted that new prisons will be constructed in Nakhchivan AR, Lenkeran and Sheki. "“We want to ensure that the prisoners serve their sentence near their house," he noted.

Humbatov said that the number of prisoners in Azerbaijan has decreased recently. "Between 80 and 100 prisoners per 100,000 people is a normal ratio in the world. This figure is a bit higher in Azerbaijan. The style of approach to this matter is different. The United States comes the first for the number of prisoners. There are about 800 prisoners per 100,00o people in this country. That is to say the figure is not the main criterion," he added.