The authorities of Azerbaijan have employed forceful measures against opponents of the hijab restrictions.

To enforce the hijab restrictions, the authorities of Azerbaijan have widely involved security forces who detain activists and protesters. Many social media users stated that preventive conversations would suffice instead of arrests for many of them. Azerbaijani opposition figures condemned the authorities for the arrests of activists.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", since October 12, schoolgirls and female teachers who refused to remove their hijabs have been barred from attending classes in schools in Azerbaijan. In several schools, students and teachers held lessons outside in protest, and participants in the demonstrations were subjected to detentions. The restrictions are a continuation of changes to the requirements for school uniforms adopted in September and the dress code for teachers approved on October 6.

Social media users pointed out the violation of the rights of schoolgirls and protesters

Five posts about the barring from classes due to hijabs, the arrest of Shahizyar Guseynova, the attempt to re-arrest her, the persecution of Matanat Turan, and the pressure on journalist Polad Aslanov's family were published on the "Caucasian Knot" Facebook page*, which has about 164.6 thousand followers. As of 14:20 MSK, these posts collectively garnered 3,284 comments and 2,711 reactions.

Commentators pointed out that religious clothing should not be an obstacle to obtaining education. "No state body or official has the right to violate the Constitution of the Republic of Azerbaijan! Specifically, the law on education," wrote Samir Khalilov.

"Fighting terrorism is the duty of any state, whether Muslim or non-Muslim. But you have subtly changed the concepts: from specific terrorists to all women in headscarves. Where is the evidence that these schoolgirls are linked to extremism? Or is the headscarf itself considered a crime?" asked Murodullo Khusanov.

"For mothers and girls facing bans in schools: removing the headscarf at the school door for the sake of education is a forced adaptation, not a renunciation of faith. Wear the headscarf with pride beyond the school threshold. Explain to the child that her headscarf is in her heart, and the sin for the pressure lies with the system. Do not listen to those who condemn: Allah knows your intentions, and girls need education to become strong," wrote Red Moon.

Other commentators referred to freedom of religion and the right to choose clothing independently. "In defending the secular nature, we must not forget the statistical fact – 94-99% of the population of Azerbaijan practices Islam. And every religion has its attributes. Christians have crosses around their necks. Jews have kippahs on their heads. Muslims have women's head coverings. Call it whatever you want – hijab, scarf, shawl. The Constitution of Azerbaijan guarantees freedom of religion <…>", noted Razakova Zarema.

"Schools cannot create rules that contradict the Constitution," stated Rabiya Hasanova.

The arrests of protesters were considered by some participants in the discussion as persecution for beliefs and an excessive measure. "They were arrested for refusing to abandon their beliefs," wrote Aner Musabekov.

"Honestly, a fine would have been enough. Why keep people in prison? They are not thieves or murderers. Explain and release them," noted Nadejda Samoilovich.

"Is imprisoning a person without trial and investigation a secular, democratic state?" asked Amina Leonova.

The opposition considered the arrests of activists excessive

Protests against hijab restrictions led to mass detentions. The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan reported on October 12 about 37 arrests in Baku. Detentions are necessary to protect public order, the safety of students, and the normal functioning of schools, stated the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan. According to the agency, participants in the protests clashed with teachers, caused damage to educational institutions, and attempted to obstruct traffic.

At the same time, activists stated that security forces detained more than 200 people. Meydan TV reported on October 13 about mass detentions on the evening of October 12 near the "28 May" metro station.

One of the detainees was Shahizyar Guseynova, who protested on October 13 at school No. 187 in the Mashtaga settlement against her daughter being barred from classes. Initially, her husband received information about her arrest for four months. Later, Guseynova clarified that the message was erroneous: after 48 hours of detention, she was placed under house arrest.

Police offered to release her if her daughter removed her hijab or if the mother took her out of school, Guseynova reported. After her refusal, she was charged with violating public order. On October 17, she reported an attempt at re-arrest when she went out with her children to the store during the time allowed by the investigator. "The children got scared and started screaming, and people gathered at the noise. This prevented them from detaining me there," she said in a video address, the translation of which was done by a correspondent of "Caucasian Knot".

The house arrest of activist of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party Matanat Turan, detained on October 13, was deemed insufficient by the prosecutor's office. On October 16, the district court allowed her to stay at home, but after the prosecutor's protest, on October 17, the appellate court sent her into custody for two months.

"Matanat Turan has previously been subjected to detentions and violence due to her participation in protest actions," said on October 17 to a correspondent of "Caucasian Knot" the head of the party's press service Natig Adilov. He regarded the choice of custody in the presence of alternative measures as a manifestation of bias and political nature of the case.

30 days of administrative arrest were given to resident of the Absheron district Fizuli Guseynov and his son Rafael Guseynzade. The son was detained on October 11 after writing "Freedom to the hijab!" on the wall of a school, and the father after a picket on October 14 with the same demand. The family learned about the father's punishment only the next day.

The protest also spread to places of imprisonment. The editor-in-chief of the online publications Xeberman.com and Press-az.com Polad Aslanov, serving a sentence for treason, declared a hunger strike on October 8 against the hijab restrictions. His 13-year-old daughter was also barred from school.

The family could not contact him since October 12. On October 18, the journalist's wife Gulmira Aslanova went to colony No. 15 and learned that her husband had been placed in a punishment cell. The administration explained this as a necessity to isolate the hunger striker, she told a correspondent of "Caucasian Knot". According to her, the hunger strike lasted with a one-day break: Aslanov stopped it after assurances that the restrictions were lifted but resumed it upon learning from his family that his daughter was still barred from classes. "We have already filed a lawsuit complaining about my daughter's deprivation of the opportunity to study," Aslanova reported.