About 10,000 people gathered this morning in front of the executive administration building of Guba. The participants were outraged by offensive remarks of the Chief Executive Rauf Habibov, who had said that Guba people "sold their area and themselves for 30 to 40 AZN". The participants were chanting "Resign!", "Ungrateful!" and "Go!"
The tension soared later in the day. The outraged protesters set the house of Habibov on fire and did not allow fire-extinguishers into the area. Reinforcements were sent to assist the law-enforcement agencies, who had lost the control over the developments.
Additional police staff was sent to the city from neighboring towns, who were unable to silence the protests. A column of 10 trucks with Interior Troops, three water-jet machines, three APC (armored personnel carrier), and three armored vehicles arrived in Guba. The Baku-Guba Road from Sumgayit were under control of strong police force.
Minsiter of Transport Ziya Mammadov, MP Vahid Ahmadov held talks with the representatives of protesters. Clashes between protestors and units of Interior Troops took place near the police station. Thousands of people came to the police station, demanding the release of all who were detained this morning. They threw stones and sticks to soldiers. Water-jet machines and trained dogs were brought to the area.
Internet in the Guba, Gusar and Khachmas regions was cut off. Internal troops applied tear gas to disperse the protesters in front of the police station. The application of gas caused strengthening of clashes. As a result of clashes Objective TV reporter Rashad Vagifoglu received a serious injury to his head, and the Institute of Reporters Freedom and Safety Rashad Aliyev to his arm.
In the evening hours, it was announced that the chief executive Rauf Habibov was dismissed from his position. The crowd welcomed the news. A while later, arrested 22 protesters were freed.
Then MP Vahid Ahmadov again appeared before the crowd asking to disperse and promised that the government wil solve all problems soon.
Once the detainees were released, hundreds of people in front of the police station and in the nearby streets began to disperse. Immediately thereafter, the internal troops left the square in front of the police station.
Video Description: GUBA RIOTS
