Advocate claims violation of detainees' rights after protest in Baku

On July 15, eight activists of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA) were detained after a protest action in support of the army, the PFPA reported. The number of the detainees includes three journalists, and advocate Elchin Sadygov claimed a gross violation of their rights.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that at night on July 15, in Baku, a spontaneous march took place in support of the Azerbaijani army. In the village of Akhmedly in the Khatai District of Baku, people met a coffin with the body of Colonel Ilgar Mirzoev, killed in armed clashes in the Tovuz District. The gathering turned into a march, and clashes between activists and the police occurred.

After the protest action of July 15-17 the police detained Karabakh war veteran Asif Yusifli, a member of the Presidium of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan, as well as activists Farid Asadov, Seimur Akhmedzade, Matanat Turan (Makhmarzaev), Muhammad Imanly, and Elvin Mamedov, reported Seimur Khazi, the deputy chairman of the PFPA.

According to Seimur Khazi, the PFPA activists attended the protest action, but did not commit any illegal actions.

Journalists Anar Abdullaev, Firudin Salimov (Firi Salim), and Elvin Djabizade were also among the activists detained after the protest action.

"Most of the detainees have been kept at police stations for more than 48 hours already. There are no conditions for detention there," said advocate Elchin Sadygov.

"A group of provocateurs grossly violated public order and rendered resistance to the police," reported officials from the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan and the General Prosecutor's Office. According to them, several policemen were injured, and service police cars were damaged.