Azerbaijan: Protest Is for the Suburbs

Once again, the Azerbaijani government has made it clear that political dissent is not a downtown kind of thing. But if the discontented don't like the suburban life -- watch out.

Baku officials allowed opposition protesters on October 20 to rally in the city outskirts against corruption in parliament, which most definitely is not located in the suburbs. But the protesters, who organized the rally via Facebook, then took a ride downtown.

The scene that followed has become old hat for Baku: policemen chasing fleeing demonstrators with a hunter’s zeal, and scores of protesters hustled into police vehicles. Video and photo reports showed a woman who apparently had fainted, and four cops dragging a struggling man by his feet and hands.

The demonstrators were calling for disbanding parliament after the release of a covert video that offered an insight into how much a seat in Azerbaijan’s national assembly may cost.

Some protesters were released after paying penalties, other were reportedly driven 60 kilometers out of town and dropped off in the middle of nowhere; probably on hopes that it will take a while before the protesters find their way back to downtown Baku.

But as the dissenters hitch-hike their way into town, Azerbaijan's parliament has begun discussions on toughening the fines for unsanctioned demonstrations.

Since the purpose seems to be to keep the protesting out of the center, perhaps, like parking tickets, the penalties will vary according to city zoning.