Azerbaijani police use force against demonstrators
Azerbaijan security forces detained about 40 people on Friday after anti-government activists used social media to call for street protests in the oil-producing Muslim state, inspired by the Arab uprisings.
Several hundred opposition protesters held a rally in downtown Baku for a second day today calling for democratic reforms.
The protest was organized by the opposition Musavat movement, led by Isa Gambar. He said antigovernment groups will continue to stage demonstrations in the future despite the authorities' attempts to silence the protesters.
The protesters chanted slogans against President Ilham Aliyev, calling for his resignation. They also demanded the authorities release youth activists arrested in recent days.
The arrests have sparked condemnations by the European Union, the U.S. Embassy in Baku, Amnesty International, and Human Rights Watch, (HRW.)
