In Baku, oppositionists demand to cancel decision to raise fuel prices

Participants of an opposition rally held in Baku have demanded that the government should cancel the decision to raise tariffs for oil products and abandon intentions to raise the prices of other energy products and utilities. The protestors have also called for transparency in trading operations of the state oil company "SOCAR".

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on December 15, the stadium of the sports and health complex located in the Yasamal District of Baku hosted a rally sanctioned by the city authorities to protest against rising prices for gasoline and diesel fuel. The rally was organized by the National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF). According to various estimates, the protest action was attended by from 250 to more than 5000 persons.

Journalist Shakhveled Chobanoglu, a spokesman of the rally, has stated that although the protest action is devoted to the problem of rising energy prices; however, "the former opposition demands to hold new presidential election remain in force."

According to Ali Kerimli, the leader of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), the rise of prices is the result of widespread corruption and lack of public control over the use of natural resources.

He believes that to get out of the difficult situation, in which the people appeared after the authorities raised the prices, the people should render overall resistance.