Opposition news

POLICE QUELLS UNSANCTIONED RALLY

Members of the Azerbaijan Democratic Party (ADP) attempted to hold an unsanctioned rally in front of the "28 May" subway station, as hundreds of people gathered to the venue by 4 p.m. Saturday.

However, police did not allow protesters to rally near the station, beating some with truncheons and detaining others. Eye-witnesses say police cursed protesters and members of human rights groups with obscene words, impounded cameras and ID cards from journalists. An employee of "Europe" newspaper Sakit Sabiroglu was among the beaten.

In a news release on Monday, ADP said tens of people were injured in the May 12 rally. 72 people were subjected to insult and beating, 7 imprisoned for 5 days and 5 fined AZM110,000 each as a result of the rally. Some, including the ADP secretary general Sardar Jalaloglu, were both beaten and fined.

According to the deputy sheriff of Baku Yashar Aliyev, 13 people were detained, including senior ADP executives, deputy chairman of the Liberal Party Avaz Temirkhan and others.

As reported earlier, Mayor's office had allowed ADP to hold the rally in front of the "Galaba" cinema. The party, however, insisted on its own rally venue.

OPPOSITION BLAMES EVERYTHING ON PRESIDENT

The 8-year reign of Heydar Aliyev has plunged the country into a devastating economic recession, scientific and cultural slowdown, widespread starvation and poverty, speakers at a round-table at the "Ideal" press-club said Friday.

The round-table, organized by the National Assembly of Democratic Forces, was attended by representatives of Musavat, PFPA conservatives, People's Freedom Party, "Ahrar" and "Geyrat", etc.

Participants issued a resolution censuring the authorities for the sores of the country and demanding that the culprit be held accountable.

DEMCONGRESS-2 GETTING READY FOR RALLY

Thursday's meeting of DemCongress-2, a bloc including the supporters of PFPA reformers, decided to conduct a public protest action dedicated to the Garabagh peace talks, according to the chairman of DemCongress-2 Ali Karimov.

According to him, the meeting also decided to demand the authorities to clarify as soon as possible what a "high status of autonomy" for Garabagh entails.

In regard to the rally being planned, Mr. Karimov said the opposition must put collective effort to it. The decision on the time and venue of the rally will be made shortly, he said.

PNIA LEADER IN USA

The PNIA Chairman Etibar Mammadov and his deputy on political issues Ilgar Mammadov are currently in the US on the invitation of the Republican Party to become acquainted with the new White House administration.

The two have met with delegations of parties that are members of the International Democratic Union and leading Republican politicians. In a meeting with the Azeri politician, US president's national security advisor Condoleeza Rice said settlement of the Garabagh conflict would open up broad opportunities for democratic and economy development in the region.

POLICE QUELLS PICKET OUTSIDE IRANIAN EMBASSY

Some 100 members of the PFPA youth committee attempted to picket the Iranian embassy in Baku Tuesday in protest to the violation of human rights of Azeris in Iran, who are not allowed to receive education in their native language.

Police, however, armed with truncheon, quelled the protesters, as 10 people were detained and taken into police custody.