30 June 2007, 16:34
An oppositionist shoots at police in Azerbaijan
Today morning, Nizami Ghuliyev, resident of Balakian and head of the local unit of the Democratic Party of Azerbaijan, has opened fire from a hunting rifle at police officers who came to his house. The "Caucasian Knot" correspondent has been informed at the Democratic Party office that electricity supply was cut off in Ghuliyev's flat on the previous night for failure to pay the bills. This caused a scandal between Ghuliyev and the electricity supply company. Following their complaint, the police visited Ghuliyev's flat where the incident has occurred.
Nizami Ghuliyev is the father of six children. He has been unable to find a job due to political reasons, he had to apply to six embassies with a request to be granted a political asylum. Nureddin Ismailov, the party press-secretary, has expressed the following opinion: "It is a result of the regime policy of purposefully harassing oppositionists everywhere, depriving them of work and means of subsistence. It is a shame that some people have to use illegitimate methods to protect their rights."
In its turn, the Azerbaijan MIA reports that, as a result of shooting, one police officer was wounded while N.Ghuliyev escaped from the scene. Search for him is under way.
Author: Zaur Rasulzade, CK correspondent
