Azerbaijan extends powers of law enforcers under pretext of combating extremism

On October 28, the National Assembly of Azerbaijan entitled law enforcers with additional powers in the area of special operations against religious extremists. The amendments have already caused criticism of civil society activists.

The amendments provide law enforcers with power to cut the area of a special operation against religious extremists off the supply of gas, electricity, water, and communications, as well as to block traffic.

Meanwhile, the authority carrying out a special operation will have the right to temporarily prevent journalists from entering a special operation zone. Law enforcers will provide information in the volume and time period considered by them as necessary.

MP Gudrat Gasanguliev, the chairman of the United Azerbaijan Popular Front Party, spoke out against the amendment. "Provision of information about special operation by the law enforcement bodies and dissemination of information under permission of law enforcers restrict the rights of journalists. We should find other forms for regulation of this issue," Gudrat Gasanguliev said during the plenary session.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.