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U.S. AMBASSADOR: AZERBAIJANI LAW ENFORCEMENT VIOLATES RIGHTS OF DETAINED ACTIVISTS
14:50 13/03/2013 " SOCIETY
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Azerbaijan Richard
Morningstar made a statement in connection with the last protest
in Baku, noting that the law enforcement bodies of Azerbaijan had
violated the rights of the detained activists.
According to the Azerbaijani news agency "APA", in the statement of
the U.S. Ambassador was expressed the attitude towards the last protest
held on March 10 in Baku: "I have seen media reports that authorities
arrested several youth activists in the days preceding the March 10
public demonstration in Baku's Fountain Square. Then, contrary to
internationally recognized standards, the authorities had three of
these activists give televised confessions for alleged crimes."
The ambassador of the United Stated said that police used water
cannons and rubber bullets to break up groups of peaceful participants
in the protest. "I am confident that Azerbaijan can reach its great
democratic and economic potential, but only if the government respects
the right of peaceful protest, promotes the rule of law, and engages
in a meaningful dialogue with citizens to address legitimate public
concerns," he said.
According to the Azerbaijani news agency "Turan", the three activists
of "NIDA" who were arrested on the eve of the rally of March 10 are
pressed. Thus, parents of the arrested refused to have the service
of the independent legal lawyers. Lawyer Asabali Mustafayev does not
exclude that this was due to the pressure of the investigation.
"Turan" reminds that activists of "NIDA" Bakhtiyar Guliyev, Shaheen
Novruzlu and Mamed Azizov were arrested on the evening of 7 March and
MNS accused them of possessing "Molotov cocktails" and drugs. On March
9, these activists were put under arrest for 3 months. On March 9 at
the evening video footage of interrogations of the arrested activists
were shown on the Public Television of Azerbaijan. They confessed
saying that members of the organization were going to show a "violent
resistance to the police."
However, members of the Board of NIDA held a press conference
expressing confidence that the prisoners are under pressure and at
the same time denied claims of plans of violent methods of struggle.
On March 10, in Baku, a mass protest against the deaths of soldiers
in the army in non-combat situation was held. The rally was dispersed
by the police; at least 60 people were detained. According to the
opposition party "Musavat", detainees were beaten and gassed in the
bus. Baku police also detained a number of parents of soldiers who
were dragged on the asphalt. On the eve news agency "Turan" provided
information that the authorities were going to use LRAD (Long Range
Acoustic Device) during Sunday's protest in order to disperse the
demonstrators.
Source: Panorama.am
14:50 13/03/2013 " SOCIETY
Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Azerbaijan Richard
Morningstar made a statement in connection with the last protest
in Baku, noting that the law enforcement bodies of Azerbaijan had
violated the rights of the detained activists.
According to the Azerbaijani news agency "APA", in the statement of
the U.S. Ambassador was expressed the attitude towards the last protest
held on March 10 in Baku: "I have seen media reports that authorities
arrested several youth activists in the days preceding the March 10
public demonstration in Baku's Fountain Square. Then, contrary to
internationally recognized standards, the authorities had three of
these activists give televised confessions for alleged crimes."
The ambassador of the United Stated said that police used water
cannons and rubber bullets to break up groups of peaceful participants
in the protest. "I am confident that Azerbaijan can reach its great
democratic and economic potential, but only if the government respects
the right of peaceful protest, promotes the rule of law, and engages
in a meaningful dialogue with citizens to address legitimate public
concerns," he said.
According to the Azerbaijani news agency "Turan", the three activists
of "NIDA" who were arrested on the eve of the rally of March 10 are
pressed. Thus, parents of the arrested refused to have the service
of the independent legal lawyers. Lawyer Asabali Mustafayev does not
exclude that this was due to the pressure of the investigation.
"Turan" reminds that activists of "NIDA" Bakhtiyar Guliyev, Shaheen
Novruzlu and Mamed Azizov were arrested on the evening of 7 March and
MNS accused them of possessing "Molotov cocktails" and drugs. On March
9, these activists were put under arrest for 3 months. On March 9 at
the evening video footage of interrogations of the arrested activists
were shown on the Public Television of Azerbaijan. They confessed
saying that members of the organization were going to show a "violent
resistance to the police."
However, members of the Board of NIDA held a press conference
expressing confidence that the prisoners are under pressure and at
the same time denied claims of plans of violent methods of struggle.
On March 10, in Baku, a mass protest against the deaths of soldiers
in the army in non-combat situation was held. The rally was dispersed
by the police; at least 60 people were detained. According to the
opposition party "Musavat", detainees were beaten and gassed in the
bus. Baku police also detained a number of parents of soldiers who
were dragged on the asphalt. On the eve news agency "Turan" provided
information that the authorities were going to use LRAD (Long Range
Acoustic Device) during Sunday's protest in order to disperse the
demonstrators.
Source: Panorama.am