As a result of the treaty reached between the Russian Federation and Iran in 1828 Azerbaijan has been  separated in two parts; North and South Azerbaijan. The North part used to be controlled by the Russian Federation, while the South still remains under the rule of the islamic Republic of Iran. Currently, Azeri origin people constitute one fourth of the entire population of Iran. There are nearly 30 million Azeris living in the north of Iran bordering on Azerbaijan. (12 July 2004)

Detention

Eighty ethnic Azeri Iranian citizens were detained in the western Kaliber region of the Iran Islamic Republic over two days during the march to Bazz Castle, held traditionally each year on the ocassion of the hero Babek’s birthday, Cihan news agency reported. The detainees were taken under custody on accusations of inciting violence and disturbing public order during the march. Nearly 1 million Azeris marched to Babek mountain and there were clashes with armed militatry men attempting to prevent the action. 30 demonstrators got injuries and 400 detained. There are 2 french journalists among detained. Demonstrators shouted sogans «down with Armenai, long live Azerbaijan», «either Qarabaq or death» and sounded national anthem of Azerbaijan. About 10 percent of demonstrators are Azerbaijani students. The march ended on Friday evening.

History

For many years, ethnic Azerbaijanis in Iran have been marking the birthday of Babek, who fought against the Arab Empire in the 9th century, by marching to the site. Annually, hundreds of thousands of ethnic Azerbaijanis in Iran gather at the Bazz Castle and conduct various traditional undertakings, such as dancing under Azerbaijani folk music, telling patriotic poems and etc.

These kinds of gatherings makes worry the Iranian regime, which strives to hinder such undertakings of ethnic Azerbaijanis at each step.