Azerbaijan, Baku / Тrend corr S. Ilhamgizi / A group of Azerbaijani journalists attempted to hold an unapproved protest in Sabir Garden in Baku on 14 June. The journalists and the Editor of the newspaper assembled in front of the monument to Mirza Alakbar Sabir and voiced their protest against pressure upon the press and the detention of journalists. The protesters stated that they had failed to be permitted to hold protests.
As a result of clashes with police, the Editor-in-Chief of the Yeni Musavat newspaper, Rauf Arifoghlu, and two employees of the newspaper, along with the Editor of the Gundalik Azerbaijan newspaper, Shahvalad Chobanoghlu were detained. After a warning, the journalists were released.
According to Rauf Arifoghlu, police were using physical force. During clashes with police an employee of the Yeni Musavat, Etibar Seyidagha, was robbed of AZN 21. He was beaten by the police. The ambulance came and rendered medical assistance to the journalist, Arifoghlu said.
The Baku City Executive Power does not permit holding rally-marches along routes defined by the City Administration, the Chief Editor of the Yeni Musavat said. For this reason, the Association of Editors made the decision to hold weekly unapproved protests. "Several demonstrations can be held in a day. However, we will not publicize the plans in this connection in order to prevent any obstacles," he said.