“There is aggression in society that could lead to serious consequences”

“This tension does not promise anything good in the distant future”

After a severe traffic accident on January 18 in Imishli, which resulted in the death of 2 children and the injury of two others (one more of the injured died in the hospital three days later), the local community took to the streets in protest. The high speed of the police vehicle and the fact that the victims were minors incited anger among the local population.

An angry crowd, especially youths, blocked the police vehicle from behind, and hundreds of people marched towards the Imishli District Police Department chanting “resignation.”

Later, reports and footage emerged showing that police checkpoints were established at the district's entrances and exits, and Internal Troops were deployed within the district.

More than 20 people were arrested in connection with the local residents' protests. Criminal cases were initiated against 14 of the detainees under Article 221.2.1 of the Criminal Code (insult by a group of persons). A three-month pre-trial detention was imposed by the decision of the Imishli District Court for the initial investigation period. Additionally, 7-8 detained individuals were given administrative detention on charges of minor insults and disobedience to the police. Among them, a 17-year-old boy accused of causing the traffic accident by stopping in front of a police car was arrested.

What did the incident in Imishli demonstrate to the public?

Political commentator Nasimi Mammadli answers these and other questions from ASTNA.

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Question: Mr. Nəsimi, what did the incident in Imishli and the events that followed demonstrate to the public?

Answer: Unfortunately, fatal car accidents occur frequently in our country. It is necessary to thoroughly investigate the causes of such accidents and take appropriate measures. The accident that occurred in the Imishli district was just another of these typical accidents. The exact legal assessment of this accident, which caused the death of three minors, must be made, and the perpetrators should receive their legal punishments.

Unfortunately, the official reaction from law enforcement agencies regarding the accident and its causes was not accepted by public opinion and led to certain tensions.

The reaction of the local population after the accident showed that there is aggression in society that could lead to serious consequences.

In such a situation, the authorities do not have influential elected or appointed representatives to present to the population. As always, only baton-wielding police are deployed to suppress protests.

Question: What did this anger and protest indicate among the people?

Answer: There are serious problems in many sectors of the country. Citizens understand that the majority of the problems they face are due to poor governance. In the districts, there is administrative arbitrariness, lawlessness, unemployment, poverty, social inequality, and a deep chasm between the authorities and the general population. A class that commits all sorts of illegal acts without punishment has emerged, while a large segment of the population is punished despite not engaging in any illegal activities. Ordinary people now realize that the strict side of the law is only for them.

Question: In your opinion, was this anger and protest directed at the incident, the police, or more broadly against the state administration, general living conditions, and the system?

Answer: All these factors play a certain role. Firstly, the tragic death of schoolchildren created an emotional state among the people witnessing it. The sudden anger spurred the protests. On the other hand, the country's governance system has become fully centralized. Local governance institutions have been dismantled. The population is dissatisfied with those who govern them but cannot find any way out. They cannot receive reports from centrally appointed leaders nor get close to them to find solutions to their problems. Naturally, the police's regular unlawful behavior has also led to negative attitudes among the population. If an ordinary person had caused the accident, the reaction might have been different. The fact that the perpetrator was a police officer directed the public's reaction differently. The ordinary people's demand for “resignation” was a message directed at the authorities and their attitude towards them.

Question: How did the authorities handle this issue? Were their actions adequate?

Answer: The authorities behaved in the traditional manner in this matter. Just as they responded to various local protests at different times, they did the same this time. The authorities have no other way of acting. They deliberately do not keep the dialogue with citizens open. The only workable and effective tool they have are the law enforcement agencies. They have taken away the society’s freedom of choice, the ability to protest, and to express themselves. Naturally, they have managed to maintain their security through violent methods. These methods are effective in terms of their interests and are easily applied against peaceful populations.

Question: What does the restriction of district entrances and exits, the establishment of posts, and the deployment of internal troops indicate?

Answer: An analysis of the real social, economic, legal, and political situation in the country shows that there is widespread dissatisfaction in society. I would say that more than dissatisfaction, there is a feeling of anger and resentment that has not yet surfaced on a mass scale. In public transport, streets, and squares, the faces of people we encounter are filled with deep sorrow, disappointment, and tension. Aggression among people towards each other has increased. I want to mention a case I personally monitored. In the districts, the most well-known and followed individuals on social networks are those who direct sharp insults and curses at the authorities.

The authorities are probably aware of the real situation. As a precautionary measure, they are trying to ensure stability by creating an environment of fear, panic, and helplessness among the population. Although there is a lot of dissatisfaction in society, open protests do not draw attention. All administrative resources have been mobilized to prevent protests. However, the result of this tension does not promise anything good in the distant future.

Question: What conclusion can be drawn from the fact that individuals sharing information about the incident on social networks are being persecuted and pressured by the police?

Answer: The authorities are showing the citizens that they will not allow any protests. Any protest will be suppressed not with political tools but with batons and armored vehicles. Inside the country, criticisms, self-expression, socio-political participation, free assembly, and protests will be stopped with the harshest methods. Currently, the authorities have managed to create the necessary socio-political stability environment through unlawful methods.