Law Enforcers See Protests in Regions as "Machinations of Opposition"

Forces of the Interior Ministry dispersed protests in Siyazan on January 12-13 and detained 55 people. A criminal case has been initiated. Law enforcers have declared involvement of the opposition in the protests in the regions.

As the joint official statement of the Prosecutor General and the Interior Ministry of Azerbaijan said, on May 12-13, a group of residents of Siyazan organized unsanctioned actions in the central streets of the town.

The protesters, disobeying the lawful demands of the authorities, committed illegal actions, violating public order. "As a result of violent actions against law enforcement officers, they suffered bodily injury, and two police cars got serious damage," the statement said.

Police forces and interior troops took legal measures to restore public order and detained 55 people.

The Prosecutor General's Office launched a criminal case under articles 186.2.2 ("Deliberate destruction or damage to property, resulting in grave consequences"), 233 ("Organization of actions promoting infringement of a social order or active participation in such actions") and 315.2 ("Resistance to police with the use of violence against representatives of authorities dangerous to life or health) of the Criminal Code.

Several of the detainees have been brought to justice and measures have been taken against others for administrative offenses.

Law enforcement agencies also "became aware that" illegal acts committed in Siyazan, Lankaran, Fizuli, Agjabedi and Agsu were organized by activists of the parties Musavat and Popular Front of Azerbaijan, as well as a number of radical and extremist religious forces. -06D--