Baku police, Prosecutor's office issue statement on rally attempt

Azerbaijan, Baku, Apr. 17 /Trend/

Baku City Main Police Department and Baku City Prosecutor's office have issued a joint official statement on attempt for a rally in the city.

Different radical opposition parties and organizations entering the so-called Public Chamber appealed to the Baku City Executive Power to sanction a rally on Apr. 17, 2011 in front of the Narimanov cinema, according to the statement.

The appeal was examined and on the ground of Article 7.1 of the Law on freedom of assembly, in order to preserve public interest, to prevent violation of the public order, unrest and crimes and safeguard other people's interests, the Baku authorizes offered to change the route and to rally in a stadium in Bibiheybat settlement of Sabail district. The applicants were informed in written form about this. They had also received a formal notification by the Baku City Main Police Department and Baku City Prosecutor's office that a rally attempt in other places would be suppressed, and that the organizers would carry the responsibility for possible violations of public order, read the statement.

"However, the organizers of the rally on April 17, starting from 4:00 pm tried to bring together from different directions several groups totaling about 150 people in the Sahil Park. Despite the fact that the police under the Article 7.2 of the Law on freedom of assembly have repeatedly informed organizers and participants of the gathering that they should disperse, this demand was not fulfilled", says the statement.

Police took measures and prevented actions violating public order arresting 65 participants of the illegal action. "The actions of 40 of them were documented in the territorial police offices. The materials collected will be forwarded to the appropriate courts so the actions in accordance with the law could be taken. Another 25 people were released after they were warned about the inadmissibility of illegal actions," read the statement.