17:19, 11 December 2003

Opposition activists arrested for participation in mass riots in Baku stopped hunger strike

Azerbaijan opposition activists arrested for the participation in the October mass riots in Baku stopped their hunger strike, first deputy chairman of the opposition Musavat Party Vurgun Eyub reported on December 10.

"We think the object of the action has been achieved. Attention of the international public has been drawn to the problem. We expect the authorities to take certain steps towards political prisoners before the January session of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe. If all the detainees are not set free by that time, they can go on fatal hunger strike," said Mr. Eyub.

About 50 oppositionists held in Investigatory Isolation Ward 1 went on hunger strike last week, demanding that the authorities of the country meet recommendations by the OSCE on the non-admission of political persecution.

Source: Interfax News Agency