Your trusted source

Yesterday protest against the increase of fuel prices was held in Baku. About 100 people attended the rally organized by the European Movement of Azerbaijan, the Azerbaijani news agency "Turan" reports.

According to the news portal "Haqqin.az", although the action was scheduled for 4pm the Fountain Square was completely taken under control of plainclothes policemen since the morning. They bypassed territory in groups of 10s. Several patrol cars were parked nearby. On the streets adjacent to the square several police buses were located, who were waiting for orders.

According to the site, the protesters had planned to walk around the Fountain Square, holding clear white sheet of papers and napkins.
"We will not chant slogans, because the situation in the country is clear to everyone. We will protest just as citizens who are not on the side of the authorities or the opposition," stated Ramin Hajili, the leader of European Movement of Azerbaijan, on the eve of the rally.

"When the young people gathered in front of the café "McDonald's" with the white sheets in their hands, the police and the plainclothes policemen started to pull out the papers from the hands of the young people. They demanded the crowd to disperse. However, the young people pulled out of their pockets new sheets and continued their silent march," writes "Turan."

It is noted that the police officers and the plainclothes policemen accompanied them, and demanded to stop the rally on the opposite side of the square. Young people began to protest. During this one of the protestors - Parviz Azimov, the spokesman of European Movement of Azerbaijan, was detained. The protesters snatched from the hands of the plainclothes policemen another activist. Asimov was soon released too.

According to information in order to avoid confrontation with the police Hajily called on the protesters to disperse and condemned the actions of the police.

"Unfortunately, the government ignores not only the socio-economic interests of the citizens, but also does not respect the political freedoms. The police and the people in civilian clothes did not even allow walking around the square. This is a disdain for the law," told Hajily to the correspondent of the agency.

Since December 3, the Tariff Council of Azerbaijan has sharply increased the price of gasoline and diesel fuel – for about 27-33% - and also the price of gas for enterprises – for almost twice. Earlier, in January in 2007, by the decision of the Tariff Council of Azerbaijani Republic some prices were also sharply increased: gasoline went up by 50%, electricity for almost 3 times, the water - almost 2 times. The fare on public transport had increased by more than 30%.