In a rare,
authorized rally just outside the capital of Azerbaijan, host of next month's
Eurovision Song Contest, thousands of protesters have called for new elections
and democratic reforms.
Some 5,000
Azerbaijanis protested Sunday near the venue for next month's Eurovision Song
Contest, demanding greater freedoms, release of political prisoners and
elections.
Organized
by the Public Chamber opposition coalition, protestors demanded the resignation
of President Ilham Aliyev. Aliyev succeeded his father, Haidar, in 2003 and has
been accused of election fraud and civil rights abuses.
The venue
for the demonstration was the suburban Bailovo district, where the Eurovision
Song Contest will be held from May 22-26. Protests are banned in the center of
the capital, Baku, but government permission was given for this rally to go
ahead.
"We
demand fundamental reforms, or the people might rise against the ruling
regime," Popular Front party leader Ali Kerimly told the rally. "We
demand snap parliamentary elections and the release of political
prisoners."
Opposition
parties complain of a lack of democratic rights and free speech in the mainly
Muslim, oil and gas rich country. Demonstrations in April were put down by the
authorities and a number of protestors remain in jail.
Eurovision
is seen as a showcase opportunity for the country. A crystal palace which can
hold 25,000 fans has been built especially for the event.
jm/acb (AFP, dpa)
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