Azernews.Az

BAKU – The authorities of Baku have authorized the opposition to hold its protest on Saturday in the Bibiheybat settlement on the outskirts of the capital.

The Public Chamber, which comprises the main Azerbaijani opposition parties, had asked the mayor’s office for permission to protest outside the Narimanov cinema. Protesters planned to demand democratic reform, freedom of speech, a re-run of the 2010 parliamentary elections and settling Azerbaijan’s long-lasting conflict with Armenia over Nagorno Karabakh.

Arif Hajily, an official of the Musavat party, said that since the mayor’s office did not approve the venue designated by the opposition, the protest will be held in downtown Baku instead.

The Public Chamber, established following the parliamentary elections held last November, comprises Musavat, Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, Azerbaijan National Independence Party and Classical Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, as well as a number of NGOs and public figures.

Orkhan Mansurzada, an Interior Ministry spokesman, warned that any possible attempts by the opposition parties to protest at unsanctioned venues in the center of Baku or to violate public order would be decisively countered.

Interior Minister Ramil Usubov has called on Azerbaijani citizens not to join the hardline opposition’s unauthorized rallies.

"Organizers know ahead of time that the police will not allow [people] to join an unauthorized rally, and that there will be stand-off," he told the state television channel AzTV on Thursday. "Such actions will be considered resistance to the police…and criminal charges will be filed. Both organizers and activists involved will be held accountable under the law."

Usubov noted that such illegal acts are countered harshly "in all civilized countries of the world".

"We cannot allow anyone to create problems or cast a shadow on the Azerbaijani people’s desire to live in a democratic society. The Azerbaijani state has ample potential and power, and the main point is that our citizens are strongly opposed to such actions."

Ahead of Saturday’s antigovernment rally, several youth and opposition activists have been detained in Azerbaijan, Radio Liberty's Azerbaijani Service reports.

Those detained Thursday on their way to school or work include members of the opposition Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, the Azerbaijan Democratic Party, and the Classical Azerbaijan Popular Front Party.

Three activists were given administrative sentences ranging from five to 10 days for violating public order or resisting police. Three activists were questioned by police, warned, and released.

Dozens of people were detained earlier this month after opposition activists turned out for two unsanctioned protests on March 11 and 12.