Presidential elections in 2003 and parliamentary elections in 2005 in Azerbaijan were marred, observers say, be fraud and violence (file photo) (ITAR-TASS)
December 7, 2006 -- Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev today accused the opposition of an "antinational policy" and "destructive activities."
Aliyev said methods used by the opposition include "intimidation, illegal actions, and attempts to provoke disorder."
Opposition parties and the independent media in Azerbaijan suffer frequent harassment and Aliyev faces Western calls for democratic reforms and for greater media freedom.
(Turan, AP)