Opposition criticizes Baku City Mayoralty for refusing to sanction rally

The Baku authorities have once again refused to sanction a rally in defence of political prisoners to be organized by the National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF). The opposition intends to go to court to challenge the officials' actions, announces a member of the NCDF.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the authorities of the Azerbaijani capital refused to let the NCDF hold a rally on January 26 with the demand to release political prisoners. Citizens and organizations requested the authorities not to sanction more rallies, the Mayoralty reported. The opposition treated the authorities' response as "a false pretext."

The Baku authorities have referred to violations of the order during a rally held on January 19, reported Ilham Gusein, a member of the NCDF's coordinating centre.

"For the eighth time, the authorities refuse to sanction an opposition rally. This means a violation of the obligations to the Council of Europe to ensure freedom of assembly," Ilham Gusein emphasized.

He also noted that the activists planned to demand to release political prisoners and "return the illegally withdrawn money to the country," reports the agency "Turan".

Earlier, the Mayoralty has refused to sanction a march of the NCDF in Baku on April 6 and 7, the "Interfax" reports.