 Amnesty International urges Baku to respect freedom of speech February 17, 2011 - 13:21 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Amnesty International has expressed concern about an opposition member in Azerbaijan who was arrested after calling for an anti-government protest on Facebook. The rights group says 20-year-old student Jabbar Savalan was arrested on February 5 after he called for an Egypt-style rally in a central Baku square on the social network website. Savalan is a member of the opposition Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, which is a youth organization. Before his arrest, he had posted an article critical of Azerbaijan's president that originated in a Turkish newspaper. He also participated in an anti-government protest in January. Savalan's lawyer said authorities arrested him and searched him without giving a reason. Savalan was later charged with possession of drugs. The French news agency reports that an appeals court in Azerbaijan ruled Wednesday that he must remain in detention pending trial on the drug charges. It reports the interior ministry has denied that the case has any connection with politics. Azerbaijan has a history of harassing and jailing journalists and bloggers critical of the government. Amnesty International says authorities summoned another member of the opposition Azerbaijan Popular Front Party on February 9 to question him about posts he had made on Facebook, calling young people to action after Savalan's arrest, VOA News reported.   Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads.   Partner news |  Latest news Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty  Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty.Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza.Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations.Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |
