Azerbaijan’s main opposition Musavat (Equality) party demanded in a statement issued last Saturday that new presidential elections be held in the country, Turan reported on Tuesday. (15 july 2004)
Statement
The statement adopted at the party council’s session said that the power was “usurped” by the “Aliyevs’ regime” during the 15 October 2003 elections by means of total falsification and merciless repressions. Another statement by Musavat demanded that more than 100 opposition members convicted for political motives after the elections be immediately released.
Elections and unrest
Ilham Aliyev, the son of the late president Heydar Aliyev, won the 15 October presidential elections by a landslide, according to official figures. Mass clashes broke out in the Azeri capital between the opposition and police following the elections, crushing one protestor to death and injuring dozens on both sides. Hundreds of opposition activists were arrested during and in the aftermath of the clashes.
Court trial on opposition leaders
The Musavat party also expressed doubts that the court may hand down a fair verdict on the seven opposition leaders, who are currently facing trial at the Serious Crimes Court. Three of the defendants are deputy Musavat chairmen. The opposition party said it does not expect a fair verdict from the court because of the lack of independent judiciary in Azerbaijan.
