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Azerbaijan launches arrests of possible revolt leaders

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  • Azerbaijan launches arrests of possible revolt leaders

    Azerbaijan launches arrests of possible revolt leaders

    March 5, 2011 - 16:23 AMT 12:23 GMT
    PanARMENIAN.Net -


    An Azerbaijani youth activist involved in organizing an antigovernment
    campaign on the Internet has been ordered detained for one month after
    being questioned about his Facebook activity.

    Seadet Seyidli, a lawyer for Bakhtiyar Hajiyev, that a court in the
    city of Ganja made the ruling today. He said Hajiyev stated in court
    he was tortured in police custody.

    Fellow youth activist Gunel Yusifli says Hajiyev met his friends
    earlier in the day in Ganja. Hajiyev told them he was summoned by
    local police in the morning and was questioned about the views he had
    posted on Facebook. Yusifli said Hajiyev contacted her this afternoon
    saying he was again called to the police.

    Hajiyev, 29, a Harvard graduate and a former parliament candidate, is
    one of the organizers of the March 11 Facebook campaign calling for a
    day of protest against the government. Hajiyev posted on his Facebook
    page the following appeal to police on behalf of "a group of
    Azerbaijani youth:"

    "We learned from the developments in the Arab world that when people
    demand freedom, they achieve it. We call on you to stand on the right
    side of history, not to resort to force against your own citizens, to
    build a fair, happy, and free society in Azerbaijan together with
    ordinary people."

    Hajiyev was detained earlier this year and charged with evading
    military service. He and other activists say the criminal case against
    him is politically motivated, RFE/RL reports.

    Earlier, Yeni Musavat newspaper reported that Azerbaijani forces are
    gathering in Baku, which is explained by the local authorities'
    serious concern over the possibility of riots. Besides, Baku
    servicemen are not allowed leaves of absence. The authorities have
    been alarmed with the creation of a Facebook group of March 11, Great
    National Day. The message posted on the webpage urges Baku residents
    to participate in protest rally planned for March 11. The group
    already list over 20 000 users. Musavat oppositional party rally has
    been scheduled for March 12 in Baku. In the Azerbaijani capital, the
    authorities' actions are construed as preparations for suppressing the
    riots. Although some experts believe the concerns to be groundless,
    the ongoing events prove that Azerbaijan is getting ready for serious
    events.




    From: A. Papazian
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