Azerbaijan launches arrests of possible revolt leaders

PanARMENIAN.Net - An Azerbaijani youth activist involved in organizing an antigovernment campaign on the Internet has been ordered detained for one month after being questioned about his Facebook activity.

Seadet Seyidli, a lawyer for Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, that a court in the city of Ganja made the ruling today. He said Hajiyev stated in court he was tortured in police custody.

Fellow youth activist Gunel Yusifli says Hajiyev met his friends earlier in the day in Ganja. Hajiyev told them he was summoned by local police in the morning and was questioned about the views he had posted on Facebook. Yusifli said Hajiyev contacted her this afternoon saying he was again called to the police.

Hajiyev, 29, a Harvard graduate and a former parliament candidate, is one of the organizers of the March 11 Facebook campaign calling for a day of protest against the government. Hajiyev posted on his Facebook page the following appeal to police on behalf of "a group of Azerbaijani youth:"

"We learned from the developments in the Arab world that when people demand freedom, they achieve it. We call on you to stand on the right side of history, not to resort to force against your own citizens, to build a fair, happy, and free society in Azerbaijan together with ordinary people."

Hajiyev was detained earlier this year and charged with evading military service. He and other activists say the criminal case against him is politically motivated, RFE/RL reports.

Earlier, Yeni Musavat newspaper reported that Azerbaijani forces are gathering in Baku, which is explained by the local authorities’ serious concern over the possibility of riots. Besides, Baku servicemen are not allowed leaves of absence. The authorities have been alarmed with the creation of a Facebook group of March 11, Great National Day. The message posted on the webpage urges Baku residents to participate in protest rally planned for March 11. The group already list over 20 000 users. Musavat oppositional party rally has been scheduled for March 12 in Baku. In the Azerbaijani capital, the authorities’ actions are construed as preparations for suppressing the riots. Although some experts believe the concerns to be groundless, the ongoing events prove that Azerbaijan is getting ready for serious events.