Rally in Memory of Elchibey

Today, members of the Public Chamber political and social activists members of the public visited the grave of Abulfaz Elchibey, ex-President of the country, and national leader of the democratic movement in Azerbaijan during the late 1980s and early 1990, on the occasion of the 12th anniversary of his death.

Elchibey died on August 22, 2000 from cancer at the age of 63. The KGB persecuted him for his political views in the Soviet era. In January 1975, he was arrested on charges for anti-Soviet propaganda and was in custody until 17 July 1976.

In 1988, Elchibey was one of the leaders of the growing national democratic movement in Azerbaijan, and in July 1989, he headed the Popular Front. On June 7, 1992 democratic elections elected Elchibey president of Azerbaijan. However, a year later, a military coup overthrew him, and the former communist leader, KGB General Heydar Aliyev came into power. Elchibey then spent 4 years and 4 months under a kind of home arrest in his native village Keleki. 

Speaking at the tomb of Elchibey, politicians said the idea of ​​democracy promoted by the late leader of the national movement, will win in Azerbaijan. Isa Gambar, leader of the Musavat party said Elchibey was adherent of democratic values and devoted his life to the victory of democracy in Azerbaijan.

Referring to the criminal case of “poisoning” 12 years after Elchibey’s death, Gambar said, "Elchibey was killed by the Aliyev regime. The Aliyev regime overthrew Elchibey and forced him to live in exile, and when he fell ill, they did not let him receive treatment abroad.” 

The head of the Popular Front Party Ali Kerimli said the Aliyev regime will crash. In his view, "a democratic society will be built in Azerbaijan by Elchibey’s descendants." "The Aliyev regime is doomed to collapse. Azerbaijan's independence was brought by the democratic forces, and democracy will be built by the Elchibey School’s graduates," he said figuratively. -03C06 -