Azerbaijani GPO questions leader of political movement "EL"

On August 29, Eldar Namazov, the leader of the opposition political movement "EL" (People) and the head of the office of the National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF), was questioned by the Investigating Department for Serious Crimes of the General Prosecutor's Office (GPO) of Azerbaijan.

According to the story of Eldar Namazov, he was invited to the Prosecutor's Office because of allegations made by Aflan Ibragimov, the former member of the movement "EL", stating that at its closed meetings, the NCDF discussed the issues of organization of mass riots during the presidential election, if Rustam Ibragimbekov, Chairman of the association NCDF, is not allowed to run for presidency.

On August 22 and 23, Aflan Ibragimov made statements in the local media. He has reported that he resigned from the post of the Deputy Chairman of the movement "EL" to protest against the policies of the organization and NCDF.

He has also claimed involvement of Eldar Namazov and Ali Kerimli, the leader of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), in organization of riots. The movement "EL" and NCDF officially denied the allegations made by Aflan Ibragimov.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by the leader of the movement "EL" that Aflan Ibragimov was not the Deputy Chairman of the movement, but only the Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Majlis (Assembly) of the movement "EL". Meanwhile, he has never been a member of the NCDF, never participated in its meetings, and, therefore, he could not be aware of the content of those discussions.

Eldar Namazov has emphasized that the movement "EL" and NCDF reject violent methods of struggle and stand for democratic development.

The social and political movement "EL" (People) was founded on March 12. According to the statements of its organizers, the purpose of the movement "EL" is to promote the democratic presidential election, the voting for which will take place on October 9, and establishment of the rule of law in the country.