Labour rights defender Afiaddin Mammadov is on hunger strike

Imprisoned prominent labour rights defender and chair of the Confederation of Workers’ Desk Trade Unions Afiaddin Mammadov has begun a hunger strike in protest against the ongoing processes and arrests in the country.

Afiaddin Mammadov suffers from a a number of health problems. According to information provided to FVC by the Workers’ Desk Trade Unions, Mammadov suffers from early stage cystine stones.

The presence of cystine stones in the kidneys could be a sign of early kidney stones, which can lead to serious health problems if left untreated. These crystals can grow and form larger kidney stones, causing severe pain and possible urinary tract obstruction.

Mammadov’s hunger strike puts his health at greater risk. Prolonged starvation and dehydration can significantly worsen cystine stone formation in the kidneys by reducing urine output and increasing mineral concentrations.

Afiyaddin Mammadov was sentenced to eight years in prison on January 14, 2025. Free Voices Collective and international organisations consider charges levelled against the activist politically motivated.

Mammadov was arrested on September 20, 2023, on initial charges of “intentional injury with the intent to vandalise” and “hooliganism with the use of a weapon.” However, these charges were later aggravated to include the crimes of “causing serious injury to health in a manner that endangers public order” and “illegal possession of weapons.” The latter charges relate to an incident in which Mammadov himself was attacked and injured but was later charged as the assailant.