The National Council of Democratic Forces held a second meeting on September 17 to protest the proposed amendments to the Azerbaijan constitution, which will be voted on in a national referendum on September 26.
Despite rainy weather conditions, many people gathered to hear speeches from Ali Karimli, the head of the Azerbaijani People’s Front Party (APFP), Gozel Bayramli, deputy party head of the APFP, in addition to Ramin Hajiyev, the head editor of Azadliq Newspaper.
According to numerous reports, traffic police closed roads from Sumqayit, Sabirabad and Saatli.
Gozel Bayramli stated that these actions were meant to prevent people from attending the demonstrations in Baku.
Spokesman for the Baku State Traffic Police, Vaqif Asadov, said that roadwork had been performed on highways leading into Baku the day before, and that the cement on the roads in question needed time to dry. “ Road closures have no connection with the meeting,” he said.
After the meeting, Baku police officers were seen attacking and detaining multiple attendees of the demonstration, in addition to journalists and other civil rights activists.
Slogans heard at the meeting included: “We’ll sooner die than leave the square”, “No to monarchy! End to thievery!” and “We want an Azerbaijan as portrayed by AZTV!”
Several of those detained yesterday have still not been released from detention.
Below you can find videos and pictures from yesterday’s demonstration:
