Portraits of political prisoners at opposition rally in Baku, March 31, 2018. Photo by Aziz Karimov for the Caucasian Knot.

31 March 2018, 15:09

Opponents of early election go out to rally in Baku

Participants of the joint rally, organized by the oppositional National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF), the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA) and the "Musavat" Party, have demanded to cancel the early presidential election and release all the political prisoners on Azerbaijan.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the presidential election in Azerbaijan was scheduled for October 17, 2018. However, on February 5, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev appointed early elections on April 11, without presenting any reasons for the move.

The opposition criticized the decision to hold early election. The National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF), "Musavat" and "Umid" Parties refused to participate in the election, while the movements "Republican Alternative" (ReAl) and "Nida" announced they would not recognize the election outcome.

The rally started today at 3:30 p.m. at the stadium of the sports and recreation complex of the Yasamal District of Baku. First, the national anthem was performed; then the participants of the rally paid a minute of silence to commemorate the victims of the March 31 genocide.

Protesters are holding the posters reading: "Free elections!", "No to corruption!", "No to monarchy!", "When sanctions follow, Russia won't help!", "Extraordinary dictatorship!" and "Freedom to political prisoners!" Besides, the protesters hold portraits of political prisoners, and flags of Azerbaijan and the European Union.

Part of the posters is dedicated to the Day of Azerbaijanis' Genocide, as well as to the Karabakh conflict: "Where are the results of peace talks?", "We condemn Armenian terrorism!"

The rally has attracted about 2500 people, the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent reports.

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

Author: Faik Medzhid Source: CK correspondent

Комментирование через Кавказский узел
All news
НАСТОЯЩИЙ МАТЕРИАЛ (ИНФОРМАЦИЯ) ПРОИЗВЕДЕН И РАСПРОСТРАНЕН ИНОСТРАННЫМ АГЕНТОМ ООО “МЕМО”, ЛИБО КАСАЕТСЯ ДЕЯТЕЛЬНОСТИ ИНОСТРАННОГО АГЕНТА ООО “МЕМО”.

February 21, 2025 22:22

February 21, 2025 21:10

February 20, 2025 23:59

  • In Chechnya, sending to war is method to punish drivers

    Chechen law enforcers are monitoring social networks and reveal violators of traffic rules, who may face both public reprimand and sending to the special military operation (SMO) zone. The effect of talks with law enforcers is caused by fear of the consequences, human rights defenders have noted.

February 20, 2025 23:55

  • Zarema Musaeva's arrest extended

    A court in Grozny has extended Zarema Musaeva's arrest until March 26 under a criminal case on disrupting the work of a penal colony. Meanwhile, her sentence under the first criminal case was due to terminate on March 23, the "Team against Torture" (TaT)* has informed.

February 20, 2025 23:15

News archive
Пн
Вт
Ср
Чт
Пт
Сб
Вс
27
28
29
30
31
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
1
2