Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary Ambassador to Azerbaijan Richard Morningstar made a statement in connection with the last protest in Baku, noting that the law enforcement bodies of Azerbaijan had violated the rights of the detained activists.

According to the Azerbaijani news agency “APA”, in the statement of the U.S. Ambassador was expressed the attitude towards the last protest held on March 10 in Baku: “I have seen media reports that authorities arrested several youth activists in the days preceding the March 10 public demonstration in Baku’s Fountain Square. Then, contrary to internationally recognized standards, the authorities had three of these activists give televised confessions for alleged crimes.”

The ambassador of the United Stated said that police used water cannons and rubber bullets to break up groups of peaceful participants in the protest. “I am confident that Azerbaijan can reach its great democratic and economic potential, but only if the government respects the right of peaceful protest, promotes the rule of law, and engages in a meaningful dialogue with citizens to address legitimate public concerns,” he said.

According to the Azerbaijani news agency “Turan”, the three activists of “NIDA” who were arrested on the eve of the rally of March 10 are pressed. Thus, parents of the arrested refused to have the service of the independent legal lawyers. Lawyer Asabali Mustafayev does not exclude that this was due to the pressure of the investigation.

“Turan” reminds that activists of “NIDA” Bakhtiyar Guliyev, Shaheen Novruzlu and Mamed Azizov were arrested on the evening of 7 March and MNS accused them of possessing “Molotov cocktails” and drugs. On March 9, these activists were put under arrest for 3 months. On March 9 at the evening video footage of interrogations of the arrested activists were shown on the Public Television of Azerbaijan. They confessed saying that members of the organization were going to show a “violent resistance to the police.”

However, members of the Board of NIDA held a press conference expressing confidence that the prisoners are under pressure and at the same time denied claims of plans of violent methods of struggle.

On March 10, in Baku, a mass protest against the deaths of soldiers in the army in non-combat situation was held. The rally was dispersed by the police; at least 60 people were detained. According to the opposition party “Musavat”, detainees were beaten and gassed in the bus. Baku police also detained a number of parents of soldiers who were dragged on the asphalt. On the eve news agency “Turan” provided information that the authorities were going to use LRAD (Long Range Acoustic Device) during Sunday’s protest in order to disperse the demonstrators.