U.S. ambassador issues statement over recent events in Azerbaijani region
U.S. Ambassador to Azerbaijan Richard Morningstar has issued a statement in connection with recent events in Ismayilli,Trend news agency reported.
"We have seen reports of public unrest in the Azerbaijani town of Ismayilli on January 24, resulting in injuries and destruction of property, including the burning of a private hotel and the local executive's private house," the statement says.
The statement says that police subsequently dispersed a January 26 demonstration in Baku called in sympathy with Ismayilli residents, and several dozen protesters were detained.
"Two other protests took place earlier this month in or near Baku against perceived abuses by the authorities - one by shopkeepers protesting rent increases, and another by citizens protesting non-combat deaths in the military," the statement says.
"We regret the violence in Ismayilli. At the same time, we encourage meaningful dialogue between the Azerbaijani government and its citizens to address legitimate grievances and also encourage authorities to respect citizens' freedom of assembly and expression," the statement said.
A joint statement of Azerbaijani Interior Ministry and General Prosecutor's Office said on Tuesday that a massive conflict took place in Ismayilli on January 23 caused by hooliganism, involving destruction of property, committed by a drunk administrator of Chirag hotel Emil Shamdinov and his acquaintance Elmeddin Mammadov, followed by burning of Chirag hotel and cars by a group of people who gathered at the scene.
As a measure of restraint, 8 people were arrested who were actively involved in violating public order, destruction of property, using force against law enforcement bodies, and causing fire and damage in Ismayilli. Administrative fines were imposed on a number of people.