AZERI PROTESTERS FIRED UNDER MASS GATHERING LAW
tert.am
14.01.13
Twenty-one men have become the first in Azerbaijan to be penalized
under a new, tougher law on mass gatherings that took effect on
January 1.
They were charged with participating in a demonstration in the center
of Baku on January 12 to raise awareness about the deaths of army
conscripts, the Azerbaijani service of RFE/RL reported.
They reportedly have to pay fines ranging from $380 and $760.
The average salary in Azerbaijan is about $400 per month.
The new law, passed in November, increased fines up to 30 fold,
with a maximum penalty of $3,800.
The demonstration in Fountains Square was organized online by activists
after the death of conscript Ceyhun Qubadov last week.
Army officials launched an investigation into the death after Qubadov’s
relatives published photos of Qubadov’s body that appeared to show
evidence of violence.