28 September 2005, 17:50
City centre closed for opposition
The government of the capital of Azerbaijan, Baku, has refused to authorise a public meeting of the Azadlyg ("Freedom") opposition bloc in the city centre on 1 October. In a response letter, the city government suggests that the opposition should hold the action in one of the following five places: the Gelebe Square, the Ukraine Square, the Dakar Square, a square near the Azerneftiyag plant, or the city motor-cycle racing track.
The bloc is not going to hold its public meeting in any of the mentioned places, Mr Jalaloglu, first deputy chairman of the Democratic Party of Azerbaijan which is part of the bloc, told Caucasian Knot's correspondent. He said that this step of the city government contradicted the Constitution. Therefore, the bloc has not changed its mind to hold the action in the square before the 28 May metro station. Mr Jalaloglu also said that the Azerbaijani government would be responsible for possible clashes.
Author: Zaur Rasulzade, CK correspondent
