Azerbaijan. Baku. Protest action in Sovetsky street in Baku-Abbas Atilay,RFE/RL
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Up to 1000 people staged an unauthorized protest in central Baku,Azerbaijan over the terms offered by the Azeri government as compensation for the demolition of their houses.
Local government officials looked on at the event, as did police, without interfering.
Protesters repeatedly told Radio Azadliq that the demonstration was not political. Some of them held Azeri flags and photos of President Ilham Aliyev and his father, Heydar.
Officials promised to meet with protesters and listen to their demands. But residents of Baku's Yasamal district, known as "Sovetsky," told an Radio Azadliq correspondent that they will continue to protest until their demands are fulfilled. "We will resist any attempt at forceful eviction."
Azerbaijan. Baku. Protest action in Sovetsky street in Baku-Abbas Atilay,RFE/RL
4000-5000 INSTEAD OF 1500
The latest phase of a large-scale renovation plan for Baku envisions the demolition of hundreds of residents in the city center. Residents complain that the compensation offer of 1500 Manats (1397 Euros) per square meter is not enough to purchase a new property. Instead, residents are demanding up to 5000 Manats (4650 Euros) per square meter, which they believe is the current market price for downtown real estate.
The Azeri government launched the renovation in anticipation of the the first European Games, which the country will host in June 2015.
Human Rights Watch and other international organizations criticized forced evacuations and property demolitions that the government implemented in advance of hosting of the Eurovision song contest in 2012.
Officials defended their actions in 2012 insisting they were lawful.
