Students' action in Baku ends with fines and arrests

Six Azerbaijani students, who held an action in Baku, demanding to cancel summer exams and liberate students from paying for the second semester due to the coronavirus epidemic, have been fined for violating the quarantine regime. One of them was arrested for 15 days for disobeying the police.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that since March 24, Azerbaijan is under the quarantine regime. It was extended until June 15, obliging residents to wear medical masks in public places.

On June 1, students gathered at the building of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Education and held an action under the slogans: "Eliminate exams" and "Cancel payment".

"In May, because of the coronavirus pandemic and quarantine, classes were suspended at all educational establishments. In April, online classes began, but a significant part of students couldn't take part in them. Many of them went to rural areas, where there is no access to high-quality Internet," Rustam Ismailbeili, a student of the Baku State University, has stated.

According to his story, because of the pandemic, many families have faced financial difficulties and could not pay for their students' training.

During the rally, Ismailbeili and six other activists were detained by the police.

The "Nida" Civil Movement has condemned the punishment of the young people.

"Applying force against the young people, who came to talk about their problems, is outrageous," Ulvi Gasanli, the "Nida" coordinator, believes.