Protests against hijab restrictions in Azerbaijan were marked by car arsons and arrests.

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan announced the detention of 37 people after protests against restrictions on wearing hijabs in schools, while activists claimed that the number of detainees exceeds 200. In Baku, unknown individuals set fire to the car of a school director, and four more cars were burned in the Absheron district.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on October 12, schoolchildren in Baku continued protests against the exclusion of female students wearing hijabs from classes. Near several schools, students held lessons in the street, while residents of Azerbaijan faced issues accessing Instagram* and TikTok, which one activist linked to the spread of calls for protests. Earlier, on October 10, the first protests by schoolchildren against the tightening of dress code requirements became known, and imprisoned journalist Polad Aslanov declared a hunger strike in protest against the restriction of rights for female students and teachers wearing hijabs. The conflict was triggered by changes to school uniform rules adopted in September, prohibiting clothing elements that do not conform to the secular nature of education.

According to the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan, 37 people have been arrested in Baku in a criminal case regarding public order violations. The agency stated that participants in the conflict over school uniforms created obstacles to the functioning of educational institutions, clashed with teachers, caused damage to school property, and attempted to disrupt traffic, the agency's press service noted, as reported by APA on October 12.

A criminal case has been initiated under the article on public order violations. The Ministry of Internal Affairs explained the police's actions as necessary to ensure the safety of students, teachers, and other residents, as well as to prevent disruptions to the functioning of educational institutions and traffic.

The agency warned that measures to maintain order near schools will continue, and individuals committing illegal actions will be held accountable.

Activists stated that the number of detainees is significantly higher. Thus, on the evening of October 12, near the "28 May" metro station in Baku, police detained people during an attempted protest against the new school uniform requirements. The number of detainees, according to preliminary reports, exceeded 200, reported Oxu.Az on October 12.

The car of a school director was set on fire in the Garadagh district of Baku. At the time of the incident, children were nearby, but no one was injured, Trend.az reported on October 12.

"This incident highlights the importance of taking serious measures to ensure public safety and prevent actions that threaten the safety of education workers and children," the publication stated.

Four more cars were set on fire in the Masazir settlement of the Absheron district. Suspects were detained by the State Security Service of Azerbaijan. The accused have been charged, and the court has chosen a preventive measure of detention, Qafqazinfo reported on October 12.

As a result of the arson, cars of Mercedes, Lada, Hyundai, and Renault were damaged.

Inspections of compliance with the established dress code requirements for students and teachers have begun in Baku schools. Educational institution staff are conducting explanatory talks with rule violators, in some cases, parents of students have been called, and some students and teachers have been barred from attending classes, reported the Baku City Education Department.

The agency also reported damage to school property and instances of pressure and threats against teachers and school leaders. Inspections of compliance with dress code requirements are planned to continue.

It should be noted that protests against hijab restrictions are not new for Azerbaijan. Back in December 2010, hundreds of residents of Baku held a rally and march to the Ministry of Education, demanding the observance of the religious rights of schoolgirls. At that time, the police detained 16 participants of the action. On December 15 of the same year, about a hundred people took to the streets in the city of Masally in support of the right to wear hijabs.