VIOLENT DISPERSAL OF PROTESTS IN THE CENTER OF BAKU скачать в хорошем качестве

VIOLENT DISPERSAL OF PROTESTS IN THE CENTER OF BAKU

Police violently dispersed the Public Chamber opposition protesters during rallies across central Baku. An estimated 20 people have been detained. The group had planned to meet at 1pm, and to march to the Baku Mayor's Office and hold a rally demanding their right to freedom of assembly. However, as soon as the participants had gathered and tried to start their protest with chants of "Freedom", police intervened, and assaulted a number of people. Police detained anyone whom they thought might be a potential protester, including passers-by. The detainees were bundled into police cars and taken away. One protester, who was assaulted by the police, fainted. The police also behaved violently towards women, who were detained and expelled from the area. However, the protest spread to other central locations. Just a few hundred meters away - in Fountain Square -- other members of the group opposition held a small rally, where we spoke to Shirinbaji Rzayeva - one of the Baku residents whose property rights have been violated. She said that she never used to be political, but the government has forced her to engage with politics. Her son Ilgar Rzayev was arrested on trumped-up charges of drug possession after he criticized Ilham Aliyev at the recent opposition rally on April 22nd. The opposition then moved along Nizami Street, chanting anti-government slogans. Police blocked the procession and assaulted anyone who crossed them. A local schoolboy was struck on the head by an officer. Today's event was observed by representatives of the EU, Council of Europe and other international organizations, as well as the Norwegian ambassador. Local and international photographers and journalists filmed the protest.