"Musavat" activists detained in Baku

Today in Baku, the police have prevented a picket of activists of the "Musavat" opposition party in front of the building of the Baku Mayoralty with the demand for the freedom of assembly.

Well before the action, strengthened police units and persons dressed as civilians could be seen concentrated at the metro station "Icheri Shekher" located near the Mayoralty.

At about midday, a group of activists appeared near the station crying out "Freedom!" and "Musavat!" However, they were immediately attacked by "civilian" who started violently pushing oppositionists into minibuses deliberately withdrawn from city routes for the purpose and police cars.

After a while several more groups of oppositionists appeared near the metro station; they were also detained.

According to Arif Gadjily, head of the central office of the "Musavat", in total about 40 persons were detained and delivered to different stations of the Sabail District Police Department.

In his turn, Yashar Aliev, deputy head of the Baku city police, said that the action was stopped because it was not sanctioned. "The executive authority of Baku has allocated places where actions can be held," he said.

According to Mr Aliev, "several persons were detained for disobedience to the police." The police official has noted that after consideration of the circumstances respective measures will be taken against them.