Police detain 23 opposition protesters in Baku (UPDATED)
BAKU – Police said they arrested 23 opposition activists during their failed unsanctioned protest in the Azerbaijani capital Baku on Sunday.
23 of about 80 protesters were arrested for violating public order and resistance to police, the city’s police department said.
Small groups of protesters gathered in several locations of Baku, chanting slogans like "Freedom", "Resignation", "Free elections" and "Freedom to the prisoners".
The opposition had decided to hold the antigovernment rally in late May and asked the city's authorities to authorize it. The authorities suggested the Bibiheybat settlement on the outskirts of the capital as a venue, but the Public Chamber, the umbrella opposition group, decided to hold an unsanctioned rally Sunday on a square in front of the Narimanov cinema.
Police reportedly arrived one hour before the protest and blocked the square, thus preventing the rally.
According to the Public Chamber, the actual number of detainees was higher than the official figure. It claimed 37 protesters were arrested, including 17 members of Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, 16 members of Musavat, one activist representing the Classical Popular Front Party, and three non-party activists.
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