NIDA: Arrest of Our Activists Provocation of Authorities

The Civic Movement NIDA rejected accusations from the National Security (DHS) and the Attorney General, who argued the seizure of «Molotov cocktails" and drugs during the search of the apartments of three activists of NIDA.

Recall that the DHS stated that they found "Molotov cocktails", drugs and money in the apartments of the NIDA members Bakhtiyar Guliyev, Mohammed Azizov and Shahin Novruzlu. Based on this, the young people were faced criminal charges of illegal possession of drugs and explosives.

But their relatives denied the charges, saying they were all planted by DHS workers.

«NIDA claims that the police operation was carried out on the basis of the political order to silence protests against the government and to intimidate those, who fight for democratic values," the statement says.

The "discovery" of various drugs, flammable means, and a large sum of money in their apartments is part of a smear campaign, which is periodically carried out by the authorities against political opponents," the statement reads.

The operation is aimed at restoring total fear among the active youth, intimidation of opponents of the authorities in the election year and prevention of the planned March 10 protest against the deaths of soldiers.

NIDA expects local and international democratic community to give a swift and decisive response to this smear campaign.

NIDA also indicates that it has always been committed to peaceful methods of political struggle.

NIDA does not exclude provocations during the protest on 10 March and says its members will participate in the action, and as always will adhere to nonviolent struggle. -06/16D-