...

Azerbaijani Oppositional Party to Rally

Politics Materials 10 July 2008 18:15 (UTC +04:00)

Azerbaijan, Baku, 10 July / corr. Trend E.Babayev / Oppositional Musavat party did not postpone a demonstration scheduled for 11 July. "As a result of discussions held on 10 July at the party, we decided to rally in front of the Baku City Administration at 12:00AM," Arif Hajili , the head of the Central Executive Body of Musavat, told Trend on 10 July.

Musavat filed a suit on Baku City Administration at the beginning of June. The Sabail District Court made a decision on the suit of Musavat and rejected it on 25 June. Then the party lodged appeal on this decision. In its suit Musavat demanded to consider illegal the Baku City Administration's decision, which does not allocate a suitable place to rally on 4 May and cancel it.

Musavat party postponed its demonstrations, originally scheduled for 4 and 18 May, because the Baku City Administration offered the protestors a stadium in Bibi Heybat settlement. Musavat wanted to hold demonstration in Ukraine square, Fizuli square or territory in front of the Tebriz cinema (former 'Sevinj'). The party held an action in front of the building of Baku City Administration in June.

Hajili said that Baku City Administration did not sanction the demonstration in its reply sent on 10 July. "We consider that this response seriously counteracts the Law on 'Freedom of Assembly'. So, any possible violence during demonstration will be assessed as a police support to the illegal decision of the Baku City Administration. In this case we do not carry any responsibility, because we have sent a warning letter to the Baku City Administration to inform them about place, time and number of participants of the demonstration. We will protest against violation of the Law on 'Freedom of Assembly'," he said.

Oppositional Musavat party was established in 1992. Isa Gambar, the chairman of the party, was the speaker of the Azerbaijani Parliament (1992-1993) and a presidential candidate in the 2003 presidential elections. Five MPs represent the party at the Parliament.

The correspondent can be contacted at - [email protected]

Latest

Latest