Witnessing Azerbaijan’s autocracy in action, Mike Harris reports from the Internet Governance Forum
Azerbaijan’s government locks up its online critics on trumped-up charges. It’s an odd choice to host a giant international forum on internet freedom and Rebecca Vincent asks international visitors to look below the country’s modern veneer
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One hundred protesters were arrested today by security forces in Baku, Azerbaijan‘s capital. The organisers of the protest decided to make their way to Baku’s Fountain Square to call for the dissolution of parliament, even though the country’s authorities refused to sanction the planned rally. Authorities took measures to curb the protests, with security forces gathered in the centre an hour before the planned protest. According to well-known Azerbaijani lawyer Asabali Mustafaev, some protesters outside of Baku were detained before even travelling to the rally.
Azerbaijaini political activist and blogger Zaur Gurbanli was detained by police on 29 September. Gurblani was part of the Sing For Democracy campaign, which drew attention to Azerbaijan’s human rights record during this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in the capital Baku.
After refusing to answer questions on the whereabouts of the Nida Civic Movement board member for two days, on 1 October the Ministry of Internal Affairs charged Gurbanli with possession of illegal documents.
Gurbanli joins up to 70 political prisoners in Azerbaijani jails.
Zaur Gurblani protesting in 2011 – IRFS
