Azerbaijani opposition plans to hold protest

Azerbaijan’s Public Chamber, which comprises the main Azerbaijani opposition parties plans to hold a rally today seeking reforms, freedom of expression and assembly and early parliamentary elections, RIA Novosti reported quoting a member of the Public Chamber.

The opposition had asked the Mayor’s Office for permission to protest outside the Narimanov cinema. However, the authorities approved the Bibiheybat settlement on the outskirts of the capital as the venue. But the chamber rejected the offer and said it would stage a protest at the Fountain Square downtown Baku instead.

Musavat leader Gambar said he had told the law enforcement agencies that if the demand to sanction the rally offered by the opposition was not met by Saturday, they would protest at a venue they deem suitable.

APFP chairman Karimli also said the opposition was determined to go ahead with the protest.

“Our protest will be peaceful. In case of a provocation, however, we will not be responsible,” he said.

According to the Azerbaijani Interior Ministry, if an attempt is made to hold a rally in locations other than the venue designated by the Baku City Executive Authority, the police will thwart it.

“The Azerbaijan authorities must end their clampdown on freedom of expression,” Amnesty International said Thursday after 11 more political activists were arrested ahead of Saturday's planned "Day of Wrath" protest.

Activists' recent attempts to hold protests inspired by popular uprisings in the Middle East and North Africa have been violently suppressed, with over 100 people detained and several beaten since 11 March, according to Amnesty International.

The Azerbaijani government's pre-emptive crackdown on those seeking reform has been wide-reaching and ruthless," said John Dalhuisen, Deputy Director for Amnesty International’s Europe and Central Asia Programme, BBC reported.