Prison Riot Breaks Out In Azerbaijani Capital

Baku, 15 February 2005 -- Prisoners are rioting at a facility in the Azerbaijani capital Baku.
Earlier, around 100 inmates at the jail broke out of their cells and climbed onto the top of the building, where they are continuing their protest.

The prisoners are demanding the replacement of the prison warden and better living conditions.

Azerbaijan's ANS television reported that the inmates are also protesting against the use of torture at the prison.

Human rights groups say prison conditions in Azerbaijan are very poor, citing extreme overcrowding and soaring tuberculosis-infection rates.

(with additional wire and local television reports)