08:58, 12 February 2020

Police detain those who disagree with outcomes of parliamentary elections in Baku

At a polling station in Baku. Photo: REUTERS/Aziz Karimov

Candidates for MPs and voters supporting them have come out to a protest rally held in front of the Central Election Commission (CEC) of Azerbaijan, stating falsification of the elections. Policemen have violently dispersed the protesters; some detainees were injured, activists report.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that the Azerbaijani CEC announced the victory of the ruling "Eni Azerbaijan" Party at the February 9 parliamentary elections. In its turn, the National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF) of Azerbaijan has stated that the elections were held in an atmosphere of "mass falsifications and flagrant lawlessness." The oppositional "Musavat" Party has demanded new elections, while the OSCE (Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe) questioned the outcomes of the vote.

During the voting, ballot box stuffing (ballot paper throws-in), the so-called "carousel" (when same people voted several times), observers' non-admission to polling stations and other violations were recorded, the NGOs assert.

Among the detainees, there are victims, including Ainur Elgyunesh, a journalist and activist, and Aitadj Tapdyg, a "Meydan TV" reporter, Khadija Ismayilova, a journalist, has informed.

In his turn, Ekhsan Zakhidov, the head of the MIA's press service, has stated that an unsanctioned action had been suppressed. According to his version, no journalists were detained.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on February 11, 2020 at 09:23 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Faik Medjid

Source: CK correspondent