Opposition activists detained in Baku for holding protest action

PanARMENIAN.Net - Baku police detained ten people on April 2 to prevent an attempt to hold an unsanctioned protest action by the Azerbaijani opposition.

The Public Chamber is the organizer of the action. It unites a range of opposition political parties, including Musavat, People’s Front and National Independence.

Initially, the opposition planned to hold an action to demand the parliament dissolution and organization of pre-term parliamentary elections, as well as introduction of a range of constitutional amendments in front of Narimanov cinema in a busy district of Azerbaijan’s capital. However, the Office of Baku Mayor banned the organization of the rally there, saying that it may lead to violation of public tranquility and cause problems for traffic. The Public Chamber was offered to hold the rally in a stadium of the southern suburb of Baku. In response, the opposition said it is going to bring together its supporters at Fountains square downtown Baku, ITAR-TASS reported.

On April 1, a range of opposition parties leaders were invited to the central administration of Baku police, where they warned that any attempts to hold an unsanctioned action in the central part of Baku will be decisively prevented.