The National Council Appointed Rally on May 17

The National Council of Democratic Forces (NCDF) appointed for May 17 a rally under the slogan "End robbery." The decision was taken on May 7 by the coordinating center of NCDF.

As the press service of NCDF said, the meeting discussed the political situation in the country.

The panelists condemned contrary to law decision of the Executive Power of Baku to refuse to agree the NCDF rally scheduled for May 3. It was decided to file a lawsuit against the decision of the city authorities.

The City Hall called upon the opposition to hold the rally on 2 May. However, the city administration, changing the time for 1 working day before the rally, violated the law.

NCDF strongly condemned the violation by the executive power of the requirements of the law "On freedom of assembly" and demanded the government to create conditions to ensure freedom of expression and association in the country.

NCDF also expressed its attitude to the video appeal of Tural Mustafayev, who acknowledged testimony against the journalist Khadija Ismailova under threats and blackmail. NCDF condemned the practice of persecution of citizens on trumped-up charges and application of blackmail with the aim of forcing people to slander opponents of the authorities.

NCDF strongly condemned "the kidnapping and keeping as hostage for 9 days" of the PFPA activist Fuad Ahmadli and the sentence of imprisonment for a term of 6.5 years on the deputy chairman of the party Musavat Faraj Kerimli.

NCDF decided on strengthening the protection of the rights of political prisoners and holding public hearings on the issue. -06D--