Social Protests

In October 2013 Azerbaijan will have the presidential elections. The incumbent president Ilham Aliyev inherited the power after the death of his father Heydar Aliyev 10 years ago. The presidential elections held in 2003 were totally rigged, the protest rallies were brutally dispersed, many people were injured and even died of police violence, tens of opposition members were thrown into prisons. 10 years passed.

On March 01 several thousands of the residents protested in front of the building of the city executive authority against the insulting statement of the executive head Rauf Habibov towards Guba residents. The statement was made at the session on social issues. The police detained over 200 protesters. 24 citizens were prosecuted and sentenced to various terms in prison.

Executive Head Rauf Habibov was dismissed but not prosecuted. Vugar Gonagov and Zaur Guliyev, journalists with the regional TV Khayal were prosecuted because they had put the video recording of habibov’s speech on their website.

He who broke the law and rules of morality is not guilty, but he who made it public was found guilty!!

The young people went out to streets of Baku to protest the death of soldier Jeyhun Gubatov, who dies of torture in the military unit. According to Center of Democratic Civil Control over Armed Forces, every year over 80 conscript soldiers die in the army of military hazing. The activists of the civil society detained on January 12 were administratively punished.

The several thousands of sellers of Bina trading center protested the latest round of rise of leasing prices. The police used rubber bullets and tear gas. The detained sellers were tortured and treated in inhuman manner.

On January 23 many residents of the city protested arbitrariness and unlawful actions of the authorities. The protesters clashed with the police. Chanting ‘Freedom’ and ‘Resign’ the protesters demanded resignation of Fuzuli Alekberov, Executive Head, and immediate stop to arbitrariness in the region. The police used water-cannons and tear gas. In response, the protesters burnt down Chirag Hotel to be known as a brothel, several foreign cars of Alekberov, and some objects constructed in his personal yard.

The authorities brought the situation under control only after they had brought internal troops and extra police forces on January 24 evening. 60 people were arrested, 14 were prosecuted.

The civil activists went to streets of the capital to support the residents of Ismailly. The police were especially cruel against the girls and the most defenseless. Tens of the activists were detained and administratively punished.

On February 04 Head of Republican Alternative (REAL) movement Ilgar Mammedov and one of the leaders of Musavat party Tofig Yagublu were detained. They were accused of staging unrests in Ismailly, prosecuted and taken into custody.

According to IPD, Azerbaijan has 56 political prisoners. Among them are human rights defenders, journalists, activists of political parties and public organizations.