Watchdog

Hundreds of opposition activists attended an anticorruption protest in Azerbaijan's capital, Baku.

The protest on October 7 was organized by the National Council of Democratic Forces -- an umbrella organization bringing together some of Azerbaijan's opposition forces.

Baku police said in a statement that some 1,200 people attended the rally.

Azerbaijan's Turan news agency said thousands participated in the rally held in the Yasamal District Stadium.

Protesters shouted “End to Corruption” and “Freedom for Political Prisoners!”

Supporters of the Popular Front Party, People's Democratic Party, National Statehood Party, Musavat Party Youth Organization, Muslim Union, and NIDA Movement participated in the protest.

No incidents occurred during the rally.

Activists accuse Azerbaijan’s government of repressing journalists, civil society activists, and human rights workers.

They have urged Western governments to do more to confront authorities in Baku.

The oil-rich South Caucasus nation has faced growing social and economic problems stemming from falling world oil prices in recent years.

With reporting by Turan

An Iranian news website has reported the arrest of the brother of the country's vice president over various finance-related matters.

The Tabnak website, affiliated with Iran's hard-line Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC), reported on October 6 that Eshaq Jahangiri's brother, Mehdi Jahangiri, was taken into custody.

Eshaq Jahangiri appeared to confirm his brother's arrest in a post on Instagram on October 6.

"I have no exact information about how the arrest was made; neither do I know anything about the allegation," he wrote.

He said the arrest was "predictable" and that he hopes it is not a case of political "abuse."

Eshaq Jahangiri, a presidential candidate in the May election, is one of the most prominent reformist figures in President Hassan Rohani's government.

Mehdi Jahangiri runs the Tehran Chamber of Commerce and is also the founder of the private Gardeshgari Bank.

Based on reporting by AP and Tabnak