Police in Azerbaijan have arrested hundreds of protesters and armed men reportedly snatched an opposition leader after the new presidentâs vow to clamp down on protests. The wife of the opposition Democratic Party leader, Serdar Calaloglu, said men wearing masks had kicked down the door of their apartment and dragged him away. The OSCE democracy watchdog criticised Wednesday's vote, citing cases of ballot-stuffing, intimidation of the opposition and police violence. The opposition claims it was robbed of victory. The newly elected hereditary president, Ilham Aliyev, promised on Saturday he would not stand for a repeat of riots the day after the poll when, an official in his party said, two people were killed in clashes between protesters and truncheon-wielding police. He accused Musavat Party leader Isa Gambar, runner-up in the election, of being behind the riots, in which about 3000 protesters hurled stones, overturned cars and fought police. âIsa Gambar should expect the judgment of the Azeri people as a provocateur and a person who has blood on his hands,â Aliyev said at an Independence Day ceremony.
| I keep trying to make the point that democracy is not the same thing as individual liberty. Nor is it the same thing as honesty and fairness. Welcome to my world. |
Gambar, who as a presidential candidate enjoys immunity until official results are announced, was defiant in an interview at his Baku flat, which he said was under police surveillance. Three foreign observers were staying with him. âNo threats will intimidate me and my comrades-in-arms. We will continue peaceful struggle for democracy in accordance with the constitution of Azerbaijan,â he told Reuters. Gambar dismissed suggestions he may ask for political asylum abroad.
| You've got "democracy." Struggle for liberty. |
|