Azeri opposition postpones protest after ban
BAKU – The executive authorities of Baku have not authorized the protest planned by the election bloc of two major opposition parties on Sunday. The mayor’s office did not approve the venues offered by the bloc, which includes the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party (APFP) and Musavat.
The mayor’s office said in a letter that venues have been designated for public actions ahead of the parliamentary elections in November, and the bloc could select one of them.
APFP and Musavat leaders meeting on Friday decided to postpone the protest.
Musavat deputy chairman Tofig Yagublu said the opposition was keen on holding the rally regardless of the authorities’ response, but the two parties postponed it due to concerns over possible arrests of their activists ahead of the elections.
The APFP-Musavat bloc had said the protesters would demand releasing the alleged political prisoners and ensuring freedom of speech and assembly in the country.
Azerbaijan’s parliamentary elections are due November 7.
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