In Baku, participants of opposition rally demand to hold election in democratic environment

Participants of the opposition rally held on August 18 in Baku demanded the authorities to create conditions for the return to the country of Rustam Ibragimbekov, Chairman of the National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF), and his participation in the election. The rally was attended by about 3000 persons.

Prior to the beginning of the rally, policemen took away from some protesters the posters. In the policemen's opinion, the posters contained anti-government slogans, including those relating to criticism of the President of Azerbaijan personally.

Despite the police's prohibition not to raise posters with slogans on issues beyond the election, young activists of the civil movement "Nida" (Call) began to show photos of their arrested comrades and demanded to release them.

Policemen detained several protesters: they were taken from the crowd and brought away.

The rally was ended with the adoption of the resolution with the following demands: to ensure holding of free and fair election, to release political prisoners, and to create conditions for the return of Rustam Ibragimbekov to the country and his nomination as a presidential candidate. Besides, the resolution demanded that the President of Azerbaijan should give explanations about offshore companies belonging to his family members, punish corrupted officials, and put an end to the violation of rights of property.

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