Azerbaijan's Busy Traffic Police
A video by RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service shows traffic police officers
stopping cars on December 31 and seemingly taking bribes. On the same
day, President Ilham Aliyev spoke to the nation and talked about his
government's "fierce fight against corruption."
POLICE PREVENT OPPOSITION PROTEST IN BAKU
Today (20 oct 2012) a group of pro-opposition and independent youth organizations attempted to hold a protest on the Fountains Square at 3:00 pm. Hundreds of plainly-clothed police and employees of Quick Police Regiment were deployed in the area.
Police allegedly surrounded the Musavat Party headquarters before the start of the protest, in order to prevent the participation of Musavat activists in the protest. Other groups of protesters were reportedly detained on the way to Fountains Square. Police prevented the protesters and citizens from entering the Square. All the roads were barred by police cordons.
The youth, who managed to escape the police, shouted out "Freedom!", "Resign!", and "Fair elections!", but were rudely stopped by the police. Women have also been subjected to violence. The detainees were forced into buses and police cars, waiting near the police office #39 and the Constitutional Court.
Police interfered with normal functioning of journalists and media workers. Dozens of participants have reportedly been arrested. Several journalists were also detained.
The organizers of the protest had submitted a prior notice to the Baku Executive Power, which offered them to hold the rally in Bayil settlement.
The protest demanded the dismissal of the parliament, after a scandalous video was posted on YouTube depicting former MP Guler Ahmedova requesting a bribe of $ 1 million from university rector Elshad Abdullayev, in exchange for a parliamentary seat.
Police allegedly surrounded the Musavat Party headquarters before the start of the protest, in order to prevent the participation of Musavat activists in the protest. Other groups of protesters were reportedly detained on the way to Fountains Square. Police prevented the protesters and citizens from entering the Square. All the roads were barred by police cordons.
The youth, who managed to escape the police, shouted out "Freedom!", "Resign!", and "Fair elections!", but were rudely stopped by the police. Women have also been subjected to violence. The detainees were forced into buses and police cars, waiting near the police office #39 and the Constitutional Court.
Police interfered with normal functioning of journalists and media workers. Dozens of participants have reportedly been arrested. Several journalists were also detained.
The organizers of the protest had submitted a prior notice to the Baku Executive Power, which offered them to hold the rally in Bayil settlement.
The protest demanded the dismissal of the parliament, after a scandalous video was posted on YouTube depicting former MP Guler Ahmedova requesting a bribe of $ 1 million from university rector Elshad Abdullayev, in exchange for a parliamentary seat.
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