05 August 2005, 20:55
Opposition pressurised in Azerbaijan
About 25 people attacked the office of the People's Front of Azerbaijan (PFA) party in the Nakhichevan Republic earlier today. The attackers beat 10 party members who were in the office and broke properties using metal items. In doing so, serious bodily harm was caused to party members, PFA local division chairman Asaf Guliyev told Caucasian Knot. He added in spite of an application to the police, the authorities had done nothing to stop the pogrom. The reason for the attack was Nakhichevan residents' actions in protest against the Azerbaijani regime, Guliyev thinks. In his view, the government is trying to intimidate the opposition and other citizens to prevent protest movement from growing.
The pro-government party Modern Musavat has today came forward with a demand of closing the PFA and arresting its leader Ali Kerimli. MM motivates is demands with Kerimli's alleged cooperation with Armenia. Moreover, MM demands immediate "suspension of the activity of the U.S. National Endowment for Democracy in Azerbaijan." Besides, the party suggests declaring the U.S. ambassador persona non grata.
Author: Zaur Rasulzade, CK correspondent
