Azeri opposition members clash with pro-government pickets in Baku

Assa-Irada
9 Aug 05

BAKU

A group of Ganca [Azerbaijan’s second largest city] residents and
members of the Modern Musavat Party today attempted to stage an
unauthorized picket outside the headquarters of the [opposition]
People’s Front of Azerbaijan Party [PFAP] in protest against the
activities of Ruslan Basirli, who is being accused of cooperating with
the Armenian special services.

PFAP members blocked the pickets at the intersection of Rasid Behbudov
and Xaqani Streets, where the pickets were forced to retreat after a
clash broke out between the sides. The PFAP members marched towards
Uzeyir Hacibayov Street and threw eggs at the building housing the
editorial offices of [pro-government] Yeni Azarbaycan and Sas
newspapers. The police prevented them from entering the building.

Several people from both sides are said to have been injured during
the clash. An investigation is under way into the clashes that
occurred outside the PFAP headquarters in the last three days, Xanlar
Zeynalov, chief of the Sabayil district police department, has told
reporters. He said criminal proceedings will be instituted based on
the investigation. Zeynalov did not rule out that the PFAP members who
used force during the clashes will be arrested.