Thursday, February 16, 2012

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijani Opposition Ends Demonstration

Opposition demonstrators in Baku on 13 November (RFE/RL)

Baku, 13 November (RFE/RL) -- Thousands of people protesting against last week's parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan have dispersed peacefully in the capital, Baku, RFE/RL's Azerbaijani Service reported.

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November 13, 2005

In the second protest in recent days, participants demanded the resignation of the government while watched over by hundreds of riot police.

Ali Kerimli, a leader of the country's main opposition bloc Azadliq (Freedom), said the opposition will wage its struggle until the end.

The opposition, which held a peaceful rally in the capital on 9 November, says the 6 November vote was fraudulent and wants new elections to be held.

International organizations have also criticized the polls, saying they failed to meet international election standards.

According to official results, the ruling Yeni Azerbaijan party of President Ilham Aliyev won the elections, taking about half the seats in the 125-member national assembly.

(with material from AP)

A photogallery of the Azerbaijan opposition protests in Baku on 9 November.

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