A new rally demanding the release of Saleh Rustamli, former head of the Gadabay District Executive Power, was held in Baku on December 15. All those detained during the protest were released.
Tofig Yagublu, a member of the Coordination Centre of the National Council, and Kanan Zeynalov were fined AZN 400 (200 euros) and released on charges of violating pandemic rules.
Some of the detainees were released without penalty. However, details pertaining to other detained protesters is still unknown.
One of the protesters, Mehriban Huseynli, suffered a head injury while getting into a police car.
Elshad Hajiyev, head of the Interior Ministry's press service, said that on December 15, a group of people tried to hold a rally in Fountain Square in violation of the country's special quarantine regime, as well as without the consent of the executive authorities. "Several people who did not comply with the lawful demands of law enforcement officers on duty were detained and released after being warned."
Earlier, on December 11, a second round of protest was held in Baku demanding Saleh Rustamli’s freedom.
Police intervened in the protest and 10 people were detained.
Saleh Rustamli, a Russian citizen, was sentenced to 7 years and 3 months in prison in 2019 by the Baku Court of Grave Crimes. He was accused of engaging in illegal business in Russia and laundering dirty money by financing the PPFA.
Saleh Rustamli denied the accusations and said that he had sent only 6,000-7,000 manats (3,000-3,500 euros) to the party from Russia, where he worked legally, to buy food and provide legal assistance to detained members of the Popular Front Party.
US State Department spokesman said he was "very concerned" by reports of deteriorating conditions.
On December 1, a first rally was held in Baku's Fountain Square demanding the release of Saleh Rustamli.
Among those detained are many activists, including former political prisoners Tofig Yagublu, Ilkin Rustamzade, Mete Turksoy, Nigar Hazi, and many others.
Interior Ministry spokesman Ehsan Zahidov said that those who tried to hold the rally had grossly violated the law.
