In Azerbaijan, 50 ReAl activists questioned by police

During interrogations in the Baku police, activists of the Republican Alternative Party were urged not to take part in the protests. Human rights activists have linked the persecution of ReAl members to the popularity of the party among youth.

The "Republican Alternative" (ReAl) complained of pressure after the rally in Baku on May 28, when the Day of the Republic was celebrated in Azerbaijan. On May 29 and May 30, four activists of the "Republican Alternative" were arrested.

According to Jafarli, the suspension of activists' detention "is connected with media coverage and a wave of resentment on the Internet."
The police were given "soft pressure" to the activists, one of the opposition members called to the conversation told.

The persecution of ReAl activists is connected with an attempt by the authorities to prevent the emergence of a new opposition force consolidating intellectual youth, say human rights activists interviewed by the "Caucasian Knot".

According to Rasul Jafarov, the head of the Human Rights Club, "ReAl is the most persecuted party now."

The authorities are afraid that even more people can leave the street, Anar Mammadli, head of the Center for Monitoring Elections and Education for Democracy (CMVOD), believes.

Arrests and members of the ReAl can be connected with the revolution in Armenia, coordinator of the Center for the Protection of Political Prisoners Ogtay Gulaliyev said.