Four Azerbaijani oppositionists fined for their action on Republic Day

On May 28, in the Azerbaijani village of Novkhany near Baku, members of oppositional parties held a rally on the Republic Day. Four of them, detained prior to the action, were released at the end of the day.

Two rallies were held separately at the monument to Mamed Emin Rasulzade – by supporters of the "Musavat" Party and of the National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF).

Before the rally, oppositionists stood at the monument waiting for their comrades, Tofig Yagublu, member of the Coordination Centre of the NCDF, told the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent.

"Law enforcers demanded from us to abandon the territory; apparently, they wanted to show that our action was small. Eight persons, including me, were detained," said Mr Yagublu.

According to his story, he, Mirza Aidyn, an activist of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), Bakhtiyar Guseinov and Shakir Akhmedov were sentenced to fines for violating the procedure for holding mass rallies in the amount of 300 manats (USD 180) each.

"Law enforcers themselves provoked the conflict, because for many years on the Republic Day, we used to gather at the monument to Rasulzade, and always go there in a march," said Gezyal Bairamly, a PFPA Deputy Chair.

By suppressing oppositional actions, authorities are trying to intimidate activists and safeguard themselves against mass protests, she believes.