14/05/2013 16:41
Melik-Shahnazarian: Political opposition in Azerbaijan destroyed
“The presidential election in Azerbaijan will be held in a tense social situation. Besides, Azerbaijani opposition has no opportunities to put up serious resistance,” political scientist Hrant Melik-Shahnazarain told the correspondent of Aysor.am, when commenting on the upcoming presidential election in Azerbaijan.
In his words, the Aliyev regime has monopolized the political field and bent all the political processes in the country to its will. “In fact, the political opposition has been destroyed in Azerbaijan. The possible protests which may develop into movements are stopped, with activists being detained,” Melik-Shahnazarian noted.
According to him, Aliyev will easily become Azerbaijan’s president once again, especially as he has managed to amend the Constitution allowing him to run for a third term.
“It is another matter how the international community will react to all this. It has already voiced sharp criticism, and nothing more. That is to say, there were no sanctions or reduction of cooperation with the anti-democratic regime. I think it is a negative signal,” the political scientist stressed.
A presidential election will be held in Azerbaijan on October 16. The incumbent President Ilham Aliyev intends to run for a third term.