Activists treat apologies by Baku protesters as forced

The drivers who at night on February 17 blocked Geidar Aliev Avenue in Baku were detained by the police. Later, a video appeared on the Internet with their apologies. Azerbaijani activists are sure that law enforcers had forced the drivers to apologize by threats.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that at night on February 17, drivers of four trucks blocked the central avenue in Baku. They demanded from the authorities to issue permits for the transportation of goods.

The video clip, in which the drivers who protested in Geidar Aliev Avenue apologized, was posted on February 18 in the YouTube page of the Azerbaijani Public Television. Ramish Djafarov, the director of the Azerbaijani transport company "R-Qrup Kargo", and three drivers of this company said in the Azerbaijani language that they had created inconvenience for citizens by their action, and therefore ask to forgive them.

According to the "Turan" News Agency, in the evening on February 17, Djafarov and three drivers were rudely detained by the police. While detaining Djafarov, policemen climbed over the fence, broke into his house, and used force against his family members, including children.

Ali Kerimli, the Chairman of the Popular Front Party of Azerbaijan (PFPA), has expressed his bewilderment at forcing the drivers to apologize. "What kind of practice of apology is this, where has the Ministry of Internal Affairs (MIA) learned this? Don't they understand that they've caused people to feel disgust for the authorities?" he asked the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent rhetorically.

Apologies were pronounced under threats, Rufat Safarov, a rights defender and the head of the NGO "Defence Line", is sure. "We'll use all legal means to protect their rights," he wrote in his Facebook page.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on February 18, 2022 at 10:12 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.