“The position of the ruling circles is forcing us to review our rally strategy,” said Musavat chairman Isa Gambar at the press conference discussing the upcoming 6th May rally and the authorities’ approach to the previous two rallies. Different obstacles were used by the authorities in both the April 8th and April 22nd opposition rallies. Bus routes towards the designated location were cancelled. The police warned people against participating.
The authorities were criticized for preventing the people with children and teenagers from attending the demonstration.
“How come that one teenager has the right to buy a house worth 47 million dollars, but another of the same age doesn’t have the right to attend demonstrations?” asked a member of the Coordinating Board İbrahim İbrahimli.
The negative attitude on the part of the authorities will make it difficult to hold the May 6th rally in 20th district. It was decided to hold this rally in one of the locations proposed by the Public Chamber. Considering that the OSCE Baku office has also made calls for the government to grant them a location in the center of the city, the Public Chamber will also send an appeal to office head Koray Targay. It was noted that the Public Chamber will decide the final location at its May 5th session.
The Popular Front Party chairman Ali Karimli called on the authorities to release prisoners of conscience, and ensure freedom of assembly and expression for the remaining three weeks ahead of Eurovision.
Video Description: OPPOSITION ENCOUNTERS FREEDOM OF ASSEMBLY RESTRICTIONS