Baku City Mayoralty does not let oppositionists hold a rally in support of Ukraine

The Baku authorities referred to anti-COVID restrictions and dismissed a request from the opposition National Council of Democratic Forces to hold a rally against the special military operation in Ukraine.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that after the start of the special military operation of the Russian troops in Ukraine, actions and rallies are being periodically held in Baku. So, on February 24, two activists held a protest action in front of the Russian Embassy in Azerbaijan. They requested the authorities of Azerbaijan to break the alliance agreement with Russia. On February 27, in Baku, a mass rally in support of Ukraine was held in front of the Ukrainian Embassy. On March 1, activists of the Azerbaijan Democracy and Prosperity Party held a protest against the special military operation in Ukraine.

On March 25, activists of the coalition of opposition parties, the National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF) of Azerbaijan, filed a notification to the Baku administration about holding a rally on April 2 in support of Ukraine, reported Vakhid Magerramli, a member of the NCDF coordinating centre.

“Rallies are being held all over the world in support of Ukraine. We also wanted to get together and express a consolidated position of solidarity between the Azerbaijani people and the Ukrainians. However, we have got a refusal today,” Vakhid Magerramli told the “Caucasian Knot” correspondent.

According to the member of the NCDF coordinating centre, the city authorities motivated their refusal by the inexpediency of “mass gatherings of people during the pandemic.”

“It is clear that the pandemic is just a pretext for refusing to sanction a rally. Almost all restrictions have been lifted. Mass sports and cultural events are being held in the country. A mass rally was held in front of the Ukrainian Embassy. The authorities just do not want to create a precedent for agreeing to an opposition rally. They fear that will activate protest moods,” Vakhid Magerramli stated.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on March 30, 2022 at 01:24 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.