In Azerbaijan, police use rubber bullets to shell demonstrators

In the town of Siyazan in the north of Azerbaijan, clashes occurred between policemen and participants of protest actions against rising prices and unemployment. Some protestors were detained.

The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was informed by sources from the local opposition that on January 12, about 300-400 people gathered in front of the building of executive power. They expressed their protest against the rise in prices of food and consumer goods after the introduction of floating exchange rate for the national currency by the Azerbaijani Central Bank on December 21, as a result of which the manat depreciated against the US dollar by 48%.

Besides, the protesters have expressed their discontent with high unemployment and the problem of expensive bank loans, stating that the population is unable to pay them after the growth of prices.

The police started to disperse the protesters, who began to render resistance. Tear gas and rubber bullets were used against the demonstrators, and rapid reaction forces of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) entered the city, a source reported. According to him, about 30-40 people were detained.

On duty officials from the Siyazan District Police Department have reported that the protest action has not been sanctioned, and thus, the law enforcement bodies are taking steps to disperse it.

It has been reported that on January 12, the protest action against rising prices was attended by more than 100 residents of the Azerbaijani town of Lyman. They blocked the motor road Astara-Baku, but dispersed after the meeting with officials.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.