The U.S. leadership expressed concern over the developments in Azerbaijan, U.S. Department of State Spokesman Sean McCormack stated. In his words, the American leadership is alarmed by the actions of the Azerbaijani authorities, who give orders to arrest people taking part in rallies and running for parlaiment. Besides, the U.S. is concerned over Ilham Aliyev's policy targeted at oppression of freedom of speech. In Mr. McCormack's words, during his visit to Azerbaijan Assistant Secretary of State Daniel Fried stressed the necessity of fair and open campaign for the upcoming parliamentary election. To remind, the Office of the Prosecutor General decreed on August 27 to arrest one of MP candidates Rasul Guliyev. The latter was detained in the Simferopol airport early this week and released by the decision of the Ukrainian court October 19.

Besides, President of Azpetrol Oil Company Rafik Aliyev and Turkish businessman Burhan Behchi were arrested in Baku while boarding an aircraft making a flight Baku-Istanbul. According to one of the versions, they are suspected of close relations with opposition leaders. Earlier with the same accusation former Minister of Foreign Economic Development Fahrat Aliyev was detained. He is charged with seizure of power, abuse of position, appropriation and embezzlement. Moreover, Head of the Office of the Business Management of the Azerbaijani President Akif Muradverdiyev was dismissed.