Musavat picket . 17 June 2008

On 17 June Musavat Party held picket near the Executive Power of Baku City (Major’s office) with slogans of “Freedom of assembly and free democratic elections”. Rally was involved by 50 Musavat’s members. They demanded the authorities to provide the right for freedom of assembly (Article 49 of Azeri Constitution). This action was observed by some international organization and OSCE.

Police prevented picket in the front of Ichari Shahar (former Baku Soviet) Metro Station. 16 participants of the picket (also Elnur Mammadli, former president of Musavat Youth Organization) were detained and brought to the Sabail District Police Station No. 9. Detained persons were registered and given an officially warning (caution) in police station and released after 2 hours.

Musavat Party planned to continue such rallies. This question is under discussion in party’s leadership and date of next action will be defined.

This year Musavat Party several times had repeatedly appealed the Executive Power of Baku City (EPBC) to allocate an area (square) to hold a rally. But City Administration each time proposed to hold a rally in Bibiheybat District, far from the Center, in suburb. Musavat refused from proposed area and took EPBC to court.

Elnur Mammadli