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| Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia |
| What color for Azerbaijan marches? |
| 2005-03-04 |
| Will it be blood red in this place that is almost a North Korea in oppression Thousands of people have turned out for the funeral of murdered independent reporter Elmar Huseynov in Azerbaijan. Huseynov, widely known for his outspoken criticism of the Azerbaijani authorities, was shot outside his flat in the capital, Baku, on Wednesday. Opposition leader Ali Kerimli told the crowds that the government should resign unless it can track down the killers within the next two weeks. International organisations and foreign governments have condemned the killing. Huseynov's family - echoing a warning from President Ilham Aliyev - had urged the opposition not to turn the funeral into an anti-government rally. But along with the tears at the hall where the funeral ceremony was held, there were also placards and political statements. The BBC's Natalia Antelava, in Baku, said the crowd jeered one of the government officials who tried to speak, until he was forced to leave the room. She said people cheered as Mr Kerimli addressed them. "The bullet was aimed at the people of Azerbaijan," he said. "Elmar is a victim of political terror. He became a victim of the truth. They wanted to silence him, but they cannot silence a people. Azerbaijan will be free." Mr Kerimli told the BBC that the opposition planned to hold mass rallies next week. The US ambassador to Azerbaijan also addressed the crowd. He described Mr Huseynov as a national hero. His death, he said, was a huge loss to Azerbaijan. An FBI agent arrived from the US on Friday to help with the investigation into the journalist's death. Opposition leaders had earlier announced they would try to transform the funeral into an anti-government demonstration. But President Ilham Aliyev warned he would not allow any political force to "use this killing to advance their own ambitions". "Political forces must be patient, must not allow violations of the law and must not use this event for their political ambitions," he said. Those behind the killing wanted to harm Azerbaijan's image by casting it as an unstable, undemocratic nation where freedom of speech was stifled, he added. Huseynov, who was one of the country's best-known journalists, was shot dead in his apartment building. Azeri human rights groups have linked his murder to his role as editor of the magazine Monitor, which had been closed down several times for running articles critical of politicians and businessmen. Residents in the apartment block say the electricity went off and phones stopped working in the building at the time of the murder, leading many Azeris to believe it was a well-prepared attack. Mr Aliyev succeeded his father as president in 2003. The election was criticised by international observers, and were followed by violent protests. Several opposition leaders were jailed in connection with the riots. |
| Posted by:Sherry |