Forum of Azerbaijani Intellectuals initiates a mass rally in Baku

The Forum of Azerbaijani Intellectuals (FAI) is initiating a mass protest rally against adoption by the French Senate of the law on responsibility for denial of the Armenian Genocide; in the coming days the FAI plans to send an application to the city mayoralty.

According to Rustam Ibragimbekov, a screenwriter and public figure, a member of the Board of the FAI, apart from pickets in front of the Embassy of France, it is necessary to hold in Baku a mass demonstration of protest against the decision of the French Senate and in solidarity with Turkey.

According to Mr Ibragimbekov, in the next few days the FAI will send a notification to the city mayoralty about the intention to hold a rally with participation of 30-40,000 people. He believes that the city authorities should create conditions for expression of nationwide protest against the decision of the French Senate.

"The FIA will address the executive power of Baku with a request to create conditions for a large rally to express people's protest," said Ibragimbekov.

Along with that, he called for restraint, asking supporters to avoid "extreme forms of protest, such as burning down French books or prohibition of French music."