Azerbaijani leader accuses opposition of provocations in connection with coronavirus

In connection with the threat of the coronavirus infection, members of the opposition are spreading panic among the population, Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliev states. He has called the opposition the "traitors." Leaders of the opposition parties state the Ilham Aliev's allegations are unfounded.

Today, when Azerbaijan celebrates the Novruz Bayrami holiday, President Ilham Aliev has delivered a speech to the people. He has mentioned necessary restrictions introduced in connection with the spread of the coronavirus infection. The Azerbaijani President has also accused the opposition of "provocation" and spreading of "panic."

"Where does this provocation come from? It comes from the very fifth column, enemies among us, elements who call themselves opposition, traitors who receive money from abroad. Their main goal is to destroy Azerbaijan. The worse Azerbaijan feels, the better is for them. Look at their performances on social networks: they are full of hatred and provocations. They seem to want riots to take place. They want to have a mess. They want to have a panic," Ilham Aliev said.

However, opposition politicians rejected the Ilham Aliev's allegations.

"The fifth column should be sought not in the ranks of the opposition, but in the power team," the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent was told by Arif Gadjily, the head of the "Musavat" Party.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on March 20, 2020 at 02:08 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.