Protest action in capital of Azerbaijan against sacked student

Today, Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, was the venue of a youth protest action in defence of the rights of Elmin Badalov, a student of the Azerbaijani State Oil Academy (ASOA), who was dismissed from the higher school after his publication in the press of an article about corruption in the academy. Bosses of the ASOA assert that the young man was dismissed for poor progress in training.

The action was organized by members of the youth movement "Dalga" (Wave) and took place at about 3 p.m. local time in front of the ASOA premises.

The participants of the action scanned slogans: "Stop lawlessness against Elmin Badalov!" and "For free and high-quality education!"

About 15 participants of the action put on T-shirts with a collage on the breast of Badalov's photo and the sign "$" symbolizing protest against corruption in higher schools.

Students tried to enter the academy to meet its rector, but the security would not let them in. Some time later, an official of the rector's office went out to them and said that the rector could not receive them, as the reception time was over at 2 p.m.

At the same time, the ASOA official promised to consider the claims of the protesters.

The action lasted for about 30 minutes. In spite of the fact that it was not authorized, no excesses and no police interference were noted.

According to Badalov himself, this week he has lodged a suit to the Nasimin District Court demanding to restore him at training. The rights of the young man are defended by the Institute of Media Rights (IMR) the rights of media and, in particular, its employee Fariz Namazly. The date of the session was not appointed yet.