Opposition rally blames Azerbaijani authorities for corruption

Azerbaijan is experiencing an economic downturn, and most people live in poverty. At the same time, the country has 160 political prisoners and sees continued repressions, the participants of the opposition rally in Baku have stated.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that about 1000 people came today to rally against corruption in Baku. They gathered under the slogan "No to robbery and lies!" and held social-political posters and portraits of political prisoners.

Ogtai Gyulyaliev, a member of the coordination centre of the National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF) and the head of the Public Alliance "Azerbaijan without Political Prisoners", who was the first to speak to the rally, focused on the "suppression of fundamental freedoms."

"The country has over 160 political prisoners; those in power are fighting against worthy citizens of Azerbaijan, who have courage to raise their voices of protest against injustice and lawlessness... Independent, opposition websites are blocked. Among political prisoners some 20 persons are journalists and bloggers. Azerbaijan is the European leader in the number of political prisoners," Mr Gyulyaliev has stated.

Gyultekin Gadjibeili, a member of the NCDF's coordination centre and a former deputy chair of the parliamentary committee on international relations, has stated that "the Azerbaijani people don't deserve such a plight, for which the authorities of the country have doomed it."

"Azerbaijan has rich natural resources; plus the Azerbaijani people are hardworking. Then, a question arises: why in such a resource-rich country the majority of people live in poverty? The reason is the corruption and insatiability of those in power," Ms Gadjibeili has stated.

Ali Kerimli, the leader of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), has subjected the authorities to tough criticism.

"Because of corruption, which has hit all spheres of life, Azerbaijan lags behind its neighbours in the region in many social indicators. During their 24 years in power, the authorities failed to solve any country's problems; and failed to hold at least one democratic election," he said, adding that "despite repressions, democratic forces continue struggling for freedom and will never quit this track."

Notably, on October 25, three suspected militants were killed in Azerbaijan. The law enforcement agencies announced that the killed suspects were plotting to commit a terror act at the today's opposition rally in Baku.

Full text of the article is available on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’.