Azadliq block's demonstration failed - UPDATED

7:42 p.m.

Ali Kerimli announced that he considers today’s demonstration to be a success. According to him, today government already for the fourth time violated the constitutional right of people to stage political gatherings.

“The closer we get to elections, the more aggressive become authorities. The pre-election situation also cannot be called democratic”, said Kerimli.

The oppositional leader also informed that on October 30, Popular Front of Azerbaijan party will hold another demonstration.

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5:55 p.m.

"During today’s demonstration there were 15 men arrested”, stated to our correspondent deputy of the head of city policy Yashar Aliyev. He also informed that the demonstration counting 100-150 demonstrators was led by Ali Kerimli and Panah Huseynov and police was able to contain it. Aliyev also added that detained earlier candidate Panah Huseynov after receiving a warning was set free.

According to the information our correspondent has acquired police forces detained 40 demonstrators today.

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5:30 p.m.

When a correspondent of Day.az has contacted over a phone leader of PFA Ali Kerimli in order to find out why the demonstration has failed Kerimli stated that he beilievs that it was successful. According to Kerimli the main epicenter of the demonstration was located in front of Narimanov movie theater. However when our correspondent stated that he would like to attend the place of the demonstration the leader of PFA said that there is no need to do that since he is going to run a press conference at 6 p.m.

Our correspondent estimates that at the demonstration near Narimanov movie theater participated about 200-250 opposition activists.

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4:53 p.m.

At the demonstration site arrived leader of the Popular Front of Azerbaijan party Ali Kerimli. He joined his followers and stood there for a while until his own security did not advise him to return in his car and leave.

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Police managed to disperse the demonstrators near the building of Russian Drama Theater.

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4:40 p.m.

Total number of arrested near Narimanov movie theater is already over ten persons. Several groups of 20-30 people placed in different parts of a square are sporadically shouting - "Azad Sechki” [Free elections] being instantly pushed away by the law enforcement units.

Total number of arrested at the demonstration near Nasimi’s monument in the city center equals few tens. At the demonstratrion there was arrested parliamentary candidate Panah Huseynov.

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4:30 p.m.

By unconfirmed informations demonstrators simpytizing Farhad Aliyev may be breaking windows at the State Committe on Valuable Papers trying to show their dislike of Heydar Babayev.
Large units of police wearing helmets and armed with shields are placed in front of Nizami movie theater.

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4:25 p.m.

Part of demonstrators ( group of about 20 ) has separated from the main crowd and penetrated in the domicile’s area for approximately 50 meters from Narimanov's park, however soon rejoined the main group. Some of the demonstrators are wearing orange cloth.

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4:17 p.m.

At the demonstration site arrived members of the Democratic Party of Azerbaijan. Right now they are shouting out loud name of their leader - “Rasul bey”. Police is trying to disperse them.

At the same time here arrived representatives of OSCE/ODIHR.

Right now there are only three demonstrators arrested.

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4:13 p.m.

Two demonstrants arrested

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4:09 p.m.

Group of 50 with carnations in hands gathered behind Narimanov’s monument and is shouting - Azad Sechki [Free elections]. Police armed with shields is pushing them out.

In the beginning police did not employ force however afterwards started to disperse the demonstration more actively helping itself with truncheons. One of the demonstrators received a truncheon blow on his head. His friends are pulling him out.

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3:45 p.m.

At the possible places of gathering of Popular Front of Azerbaijan party, Musavat and Democratic Party activists, police already has formed cordons.

Near “Narimanov” movie theater along with police can be observed separate groups of people. Here plans to start its meeting Party of Popular Front of Azerbaijan.

Representatives of Democratic Party and Musavat will attempt to gather in the center of the city – near a monument of Nasimi, in Sahil garden.

Day.az