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Azerbaijan launches arrests of possible revolt leaders
March 5, 2011 - 16:23 AMT 12:23 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net -
An Azerbaijani youth activist involved in organizing an antigovernment
campaign on the Internet has been ordered detained for one month after
being questioned about his Facebook activity.
Seadet Seyidli, a lawyer for Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, that a court in the
city of Ganja made the ruling today. He said Hajiyev stated in court
he was tortured in police custody.
Fellow youth activist Gunel Yusifli says Hajiyev met his friends
earlier in the day in Ganja. Hajiyev told them he was summoned by
local police in the morning and was questioned about the views he had
posted on Facebook. Yusifli said Hajiyev contacted her this afternoon
saying he was again called to the police.
Hajiyev, 29, a Harvard graduate and a former parliament candidate, is
one of the organizers of the March 11 Facebook campaign calling for a
day of protest against the government. Hajiyev posted on his Facebook
page the following appeal to police on behalf of "a group of
Azerbaijani youth:"
"We learned from the developments in the Arab world that when people
demand freedom, they achieve it. We call on you to stand on the right
side of history, not to resort to force against your own citizens, to
build a fair, happy, and free society in Azerbaijan together with
ordinary people."
Hajiyev was detained earlier this year and charged with evading
military service. He and other activists say the criminal case against
him is politically motivated, RFE/RL reports.
Earlier, Yeni Musavat newspaper reported that Azerbaijani forces are
gathering in Baku, which is explained by the local authorities'
serious concern over the possibility of riots. Besides, Baku
servicemen are not allowed leaves of absence. The authorities have
been alarmed with the creation of a Facebook group of March 11, Great
National Day. The message posted on the webpage urges Baku residents
to participate in protest rally planned for March 11. The group
already list over 20 000 users. Musavat oppositional party rally has
been scheduled for March 12 in Baku. In the Azerbaijani capital, the
authorities' actions are construed as preparations for suppressing the
riots. Although some experts believe the concerns to be groundless,
the ongoing events prove that Azerbaijan is getting ready for serious
events.
From: A. Papazian
March 5, 2011 - 16:23 AMT 12:23 GMT
PanARMENIAN.Net -
An Azerbaijani youth activist involved in organizing an antigovernment
campaign on the Internet has been ordered detained for one month after
being questioned about his Facebook activity.
Seadet Seyidli, a lawyer for Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, that a court in the
city of Ganja made the ruling today. He said Hajiyev stated in court
he was tortured in police custody.
Fellow youth activist Gunel Yusifli says Hajiyev met his friends
earlier in the day in Ganja. Hajiyev told them he was summoned by
local police in the morning and was questioned about the views he had
posted on Facebook. Yusifli said Hajiyev contacted her this afternoon
saying he was again called to the police.
Hajiyev, 29, a Harvard graduate and a former parliament candidate, is
one of the organizers of the March 11 Facebook campaign calling for a
day of protest against the government. Hajiyev posted on his Facebook
page the following appeal to police on behalf of "a group of
Azerbaijani youth:"
"We learned from the developments in the Arab world that when people
demand freedom, they achieve it. We call on you to stand on the right
side of history, not to resort to force against your own citizens, to
build a fair, happy, and free society in Azerbaijan together with
ordinary people."
Hajiyev was detained earlier this year and charged with evading
military service. He and other activists say the criminal case against
him is politically motivated, RFE/RL reports.
Earlier, Yeni Musavat newspaper reported that Azerbaijani forces are
gathering in Baku, which is explained by the local authorities'
serious concern over the possibility of riots. Besides, Baku
servicemen are not allowed leaves of absence. The authorities have
been alarmed with the creation of a Facebook group of March 11, Great
National Day. The message posted on the webpage urges Baku residents
to participate in protest rally planned for March 11. The group
already list over 20 000 users. Musavat oppositional party rally has
been scheduled for March 12 in Baku. In the Azerbaijani capital, the
authorities' actions are construed as preparations for suppressing the
riots. Although some experts believe the concerns to be groundless,
the ongoing events prove that Azerbaijan is getting ready for serious
events.
From: A. Papazian