Azerbaijan, Baku, Oct. 15 / Trend T.Hajiyev /
The Baku Executive Power has refused the PFPA-Musavat opposition bloc to grant permission for holding a rally, Musavat Party Central Executive Office Head Arif Hajili said.
Hajili said he had a telephone conversation with the city authorities' representative, who informed him about the refusal.
"Reasons for the refusal have not been specified," Hajili said.
The opposition bloc intended to hold a mass rally on Oct.17 in front of the Tabriz cinema located in the Nizami district.
Rallies will be held in any case, as the election campaign is impossible without mass rallies, Hajili said. Today, the parties will discuss the issue and make an appropriate decision, he said. "The rallies that the PFPA-Musavat bloc plans to hold comply with the requirements of the Constitution," Hajili added.
"The right to freedom of assembly is recognized throughout the territory of Azerbaijan, rather than individual sites. The law on freedom of assembly determines places where holding of mass protests is prohibited. Demonstrations can not be held within 200 meters from the state agencies, as well as near certain strategic objects. For example, holding of mass protests at the Azadlig Square is expressly forbidden. This means that rallies are allowed in other places. The ban on holding mass actions in these areas is a violation of the Constitution and laws," Hajili said
PFPA Deputy Chairman for Political Affairs Fuad Gahramanli said he is not informed about the refusal to hold a rally.
"We wait for an official reply. We will voice our position after receiving an official response. In addition, it is necessary to hold discussions in the party's governing bodies and decide on the date of next rally. Rally will be held in any case, even if permission is not granted," Gahramanli said.
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