The police dispersed an action of protest in Baku

Today the police in Baku hindered the supporters of the opposition from holding an unauthorized action of protest with the demand that the authorities should respect human rights. The action organized by Civil movement for democracy “Public Chamber” (CMDPC) was timed to the International Human Rights Day which is celebrated on December, 10.

Earlier, the “Caucasian Knot” reported that Mayor’s office of Baku did not authorize the picket in front of the National Assembly of Azerbaijan planned by CMDPC on December, 10. However, representatives of the opposition declared their intention to hold an action of protest in spite of the authorities’ prohibition.

The action was moved to Fontanov (Fountains) square in the center of Baku, its beginning was planned at 14:00 local time. However, yet since noon the square and adjoining streets were put under observation of the police. At about 14:00 about 50 protesters tried to enter the square from the direction of ”Araz” cinema chanting slogans: “Freedom!”, ”Resign!” and holding posters with demands of observance of human rights.

However, the servicemen of fast response regiment of the Ministry of Interior Affairs and the police whose number exceeded that of the protesters no less than twice started detaining the participants of the action.

Within several minutes the action was dispersed and almost all the participants, about 30 persons all in all, detained.