Times of Malta: 18 opposition activists detained in Azerbaijan
Police in Azerbaijan detained 18 opposition activists who broke up an attempt to hold an opposition protest yesterday in Baku the week before the city hosts the Eurovision song contest, Times of Malta said.
Dozens of activists from the Public Chamber opposition alliance waved their fists in the air and chanted "Freedom!" as they tried to gather for the unauthorized rally in the city centre.
"Our demands are the release of political prisoners and freedom of assembly in line with the constitution," Isa Gambar, leader of the opposition Musavat party which is part of the Public Chamber, told AFP.
Campaign group Human Rights Watch has estimated that around 70 people are currently in jail in Azerbaijan for political reasons.