Four oppositionists detained in Azerbaijan

In Baku, on the eve of the protest action against the non-combat losses in the army scheduled for March 10, the members of the civil movement "Nida" Bakhtiyar Guliev, Mohammed Azizov and Shakhin Novruzov. This was reported stated by Uzeir Mamedli, a member of the board of the movement. In Gandzha, the police have detained Makhir Bairamly, an activist of the "Musavat" Party, said his wife Gyulbeniz Ulutyurk.

"Four men in civilian clothes came to Guliev's apartment in Baku; they presented themselves as officials of the Ministry of National Security (MNS) of Azerbaijan and searched the flat. They 'found' a few bottles of liquid, calling them 'Molotov cocktails' and drugs. The Novruzov's apartment was also searched with the sanction of the Sabail District Court; and there they also 'found' bottles with liquid and drugs," said Mamedli.

Rashad Gasanov, another member of the board of movement, has treated the arrests as pressure on the organization in anticipation of the action on March 10 to be held under the slogan "Put an end to soldiers' deaths!"

"Our organization is committed to peaceful methods of political struggle. Our members are young composers, writers and journalists. Our activities have always been transparent," said Gasanov.

Officials of the MNS were inaccessible for comments. The Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) of Azerbaijan has informed that they have no information about the detention of the above persons.