Bryza stands up for potential revolutionists in Azerbaijan

PanARMENIAN.Net - The European Union expressed concern over Azerbaijan's arrest of young democracy activists trying to organise a nationwide day of protest through the Facebook social network. The EU delegation in Baku said in a statement it was "concerned" over the "increasing number of reports of arrests of youth activists in the country."

The "Great People's Day in Azerbaijan," called for March 11, is an attempt by activists in the tightly controlled Muslim-majority country to latch on to the mood of revolt sweeping through the Arab world. But the authorities have made clear they will not tolerate even small-scale unsanctioned protests and have arrested leading activists on what the opposition claims are spurious charges.

Five young activists have been arrested so far, prompting Amnesty International to urge Azerbaijan to "stop this crackdown immediately and allow activists to organize peaceful protests."

The U.S. ambassador to the former Soviet republic, Matthew Bryza, said he would "continue to monitor closely" the cases.

The group's page on Facebook, the online social networking site used extensively in the revolt that toppled Egyptian president Hosni Mubarak, says "we are on the road of democracy and intend to follow this road till the end." "By clicking 'I am attending' you are simply showing your support for the Azerbaijani cause online." Some 4,135 people had confirmed their attendance by March 11 morning, EUbusiness reported.