19:00, 2 December 2011

Baku hosts protest against increase of metro fare

A group of young people has held an action in Baku in protest against increasing the metro fare. The action was organized by the Democratic Youth Organization.

On November 28, the Tariff Board at the Cabinet of Ministers of Azerbaijan made a decision to raise the cost of one metro ticket from 15 gyapiks (18 US cents) to 20 gyapiks (24 US cents).

Today, about 10 young protesters have initially gathered in the Sakhil Park in central Baku, raising a poster with an ironic slogan: "Do not make noise and wake them up – let them go on sleeping!" In this manner the activists have protested against the silent consent of the population with a sharp jump in metro fare within the last two years.

"The silence of the population is perceived by the authorities as consent; and very soon we may face a new increase of metro fare, as well as of utility tariffs," said Rovshan Asadov, one of the protesters and the head of the Democratic Youth Organization.

The young people moved from the Sakhil Park to the metro station bearing the same name, where they unfolded their banners trying to draw passengers' attention.

Author: Faik Medzhid

Source: CK correspondent