In order to hold wedding parties it will be necessary to have special permission from the executive power. Last year a similar prohibition was introduced by the executive power in Nakhchivan city.

Local officials explain these restrictions by the need to conserve energy during winter.

According to local businessman Hasan Mammadov, a counter was installed in his enterprise, and he pays for the used energy, therefore the introduction of such restrictions in fact serves attempts to extort money from businessmen. After they gather what is "due" from all objects, the prohibition will be removed. Last year officials gathered $100 per object, and this year probably the price will be higher. Police inspectors also are involved in money extortion, Mammedov said. Turan