Opposition news

US REPUBLICAN MEETS OPPOSITION LEADERS

The director of the US International Institute of Republicans (IIR) in Azerbaijan Mark Forre met with chairman of the Party for National Independence of Azerbaijan Etibar Mammadov and leader of the PFPA reform wing MP Ali Karimli Thursday.

The US visitor spoke of the revival of the IIR office in Azerbaijan and his tours to the regions of Azerbaijan in a bid to forge cooperation. The parties exchanged views on upcoming seminars for political parties under the Institute of Republicans.

7 OPPOSITION LEADERS AGREE NOT TO CONFRONT

The leaders of 7 parties - the Azerbaijan Democratic Party, the PNIA, the PFPA reform wing, Adalat, Vahdat and the Civil Unity Parties - gathered in the headquarters of the Taraggi party Tuesday to discuss the socio-political situation in the country and inter-opposition relations. The leaders, who for the first time convened in a similar gathering, decided to hold meetings once a month and avoid confronting one another.

Despite invitation, Musavat, the PFPA classical wing and the Azerbaijan Democratic Party didn't attend the meeting.

EX-INTERIOR MINISTER'S SUPPORTERS CONCERNED WITH DELAYED COURT

Lawyers of the former interior minister Isgandar Hamidov held a news conference at the Press Club of Baku Tuesday. They said preparations for the court should have started 15 days after the Prosecutor General filed a protest to the Court of Appeals. The preparatory court approved the protest in the Gobustan penitentiary on February 6, 2002.

The defense attorneys of I. Hamidov said they had sent an official inquiry to the Appeals Court, with no answer yet. The jurists explained the delay of the court hearings with awaiting a political order and trying to have a close-doors court.

The lawyers said if the hearings are being delayed, I. Hamidov should be pardoned. They threatened to turn to the European Court unless the court starts shortly.

On Monday, members of the Azerbaijan National Democratic Party (Grey Wolf) picketed the Supreme Court of Azerbaijan Monday with mottoes "Freedom to Isgandar Hamidov", "Protect his rights" and "Open court for Isgandar Hamidov". Some 50 people joined the sanctioned picket.

The protesters submitted to the Court the resolution urging an end to transgressions on I. Hamidov's rights, an open court and release for the ex-interior minister.

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Compiled by Firuza Baymammadqizi

Azernews Contributor