Azerbaijan, Baku / Тrend corr K. Zarbaliyeva / The term of arrest of Azerbaijani Elnara Ahmadova, 17, an HIV carrier, was extended for an additional 2 months, the Prosecutor of the Nasimi District of Baku, Agshin Ziyadov, reported on 17 September.
The extension of the term of both the investigation and preventative punishment was necessary so as to locate the persons who she had intimate relations with and may be contaminated with the virus, the Prosecutor said. Ahmadova is held in Shuvelan Investigation 3. Her state of health is said to be normal.
A criminal case was filed in Nasimi District Police Department in contravention of Article 140.1 (deliberate threatening one's life with HIV contamination). Ahmadova was sentenced to imprisonment.
On 18 August 2003, Elnara Ahmadova, 17, was delivered to Dermatovenerologic Dispensary of Baku's Ramana settlement. Blood analysis held in the Republican Centre for HIV Combating revealed the virus in the girl's blood. She was registered at the Centre.
On 28 August of the same year, a physician of the Centre visited the Ramana dispensary and carried out epidemiological investigations and the patient was warned about the spreading the virus.
During the last two years the Centre had no information on the whereabouts of Ahmadova. On 8 July the Centre was informed that Ahmadova was residing in Umud Yeri Children's Home. Within a day an employee of the Care for Children's Homes public association, Sahib Teymurov, and members of the 21st police department of Baku's Nasimi District escorted Ahmadova to the HIV Centre.
Ahmadova worked as a prostitute, engaging in sexual activities with clients, young men aged between 20 and 25, in the saunas of Surakhany, Khyrdalan regions, Masazyr and Ahmadli districts of Baku. Her wish to return to a normal lifestyle drew Ahmadova to the Care for Children's Homes public association.