11 May 2005, 13:54
Opposition parties prohibited from holding public meeting
Three Azerbaijani opposition parties (the People's Front Party, Musavat and the Democratic Party of Azerbaijan) have made a decision to hold a public meeting in Baku on 21 May to demand freedom of assembly, Electoral Code reforms, independent television and punishment for the killers of journalist Elmar Husseinov, Mehman Javadoglu, chief of the press service for Musavat, told Caucasian Knot. He said the meeting would be held even if the city authorities did not sanction it.
The government of Azerbaijan claims the opposition will not be allowed to hold the action. Thus, Internal Affairs Minister Ramil Usubov promises to use force against the demonstrators if they venture an unauthorised event: "The Azerbaijani state has all potential to prevent unlawful actions," he said.
More about freedom of assembly Azerbaijan:
Author: Zaur Rasulzade, CK correspondent
