After overstaying the two-hour limit Azeri authorities gave the opposition for today’s protest, riot police moved in to disperse protesters.
The municipality gave the demonstrators only two hours to voice their protests. But after the deadline expired, opposition leader Ali Kerimli called upon the crowd to remain on the square and set up a permanent protest until its demands are met.
“Today is the time to make a decision,” Kerimli said. “If you’re ready to start a sit-in protest action, then I’m telling you: we will join you, we will be among you. Now, if you’re ready, please sit down and let the entire world witness our struggle.”
Kerimli’s call triggered a swift reaction from the hundreds of riot police and Interior Ministry troops standing nearby.
RFE/RL reports about 10 injured and that some reports indicate protesters threw rocks at riot police.
The New York Times has more details on the violence as well as diplomatic reaction in its report.
The lopsided violence, much of it against middle-aged men and women, immediately dispersed the rally, which had exceeded its legally permitted time by no more than three minutes.
The demonstrators, supporters of the Azadliq bloc of opposition parties, chanted “Freedom!” and, in a message to President Ilham Aliyev, “Resign!” until the police officers silenced them with clubs.
The officers attacked in tight ranks, clubbing those in their path, and beating and kicking many who fell under the first blows. As people fled, the officers pursued them, flushing them from courtyards with water cannons mounted on trucks, and clubbing, punching and swearing at those they could catch.
At least two women were knocked senseless and left behind by the retreating crowd. The two lay sprawled on the street in a bizarre tableau of lost hats, discarded shoes and dropped flags as police trucks with water cannons rushed past.
A TURAN report I received off an email list says that the following journalists were beaten while photographing the dispersal of protesters.
-Elbrus Seyfullayev – Azerpress agency;
– Shain Aydin – “Bizim Yol”;
– Shaida Tulagayeva – cameraman “BBC”;
– Shirin Safarov – employee of “Baki Heber”;
– Zaur Rasulov – correspondent of “Novoye Vrema” newspaper;
– Anar Bayramoglu – corespondent of “Sharg” newspaper;
– Samir Neymanoglu – employee of Turan agency;
– Mustafa Hacili – Deputy Editor in Chief of “Yeni Musavat” newspaper;
– Sarvan Rizvanov – correspondent of Turan;
– Elman Mailov – correspondent of “Express” newspaper;
– Aga Safarov – correspondent of “Hurriyet” newspaper;
– Zohrab Ismail – the member of the Press Council, “Azadlig” newspaper.
More press coverage can be found at Google News.
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Nathan Hamm – author of 2040 posts on Registan.net.
Nathan founded Registan.net in 2003. He was a Peace Corps Volunteer in Uzbekistan 2000-2001 and received his MA in Central Asian Studies from the University of Washington in 2007. Since 2007, he has worked full-time as an analyst, consulting with clients on Central Asian affairs, specializing in how socio-cultural factors shape risks and opportunities. Follow him on Twitter or drop him a line.
{ 3 comments }
I’ve watched some of the BBC news coverage, and checked out the stories on their website – and I’ve not heard or seen them mention that a cameraman working for the BBC was beaten.
To be honest, I’d expect the BBC to at least mention the fact that one of their staff (or even a freelancer working for them) was beaten while covering a story. Even if he isn’t actually British.
Thanks for mentioning that. There were about four TURAN reports in the email. I went back and read that one more carefully, and here’s what preceded the list.
After a more careful reading, I wouldn’t be surprised if the “and” should be “or” and that “subjected to physical pressure” means “pushed back and yelled at by police.”
I’ve heard that SHE was surrounded by bodyguards, and who were beaten blocking the blows. Whatever.