BAKU – Azeri police arrested dozens of opposition activists who tried to stage a protest rally in the centre of the oil-producing Muslim country’s capital Baku on Saturday. Riot police seized protesters and pushed them into buses near Fountains Square in Baku, where the opposition had wanted to hold a rally but failed to receive approval from authorities. One of the opposition leaders said after completion of the protest that about 1,000 people had taken part and more than 200 were arrested. “Today’s protest has demonstrated that Azeri people want change and are ready to act for the sake of democracy,” Isa Gambar, leader of the opposition Musavat Party, told Reuters by telephone.
Police officials declined to comment on the arrests. The police detained about 150 people at opposition rallies in Baku last month. The protests were inspired by unrest in the Middle East and North Africa, but analysts believe a revolt in energy supplier Azerbaijan is highly unlikely. Hundreds of protesters, including members of opposition parties and activists, were trying to get to the square when riot police detained them.
