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Azerbaijan tightens rules on violation of rules for organizing and holding meetings

14 May 2013 12:46 (UTC +04:00)

APA reports that at today’s meeting the Azerbaijani Parliament has made amendments to the Code of Administrative Offences.

According to the amendment to article 298 of the Code of Administrative Offences, period of administrative detention has been extended on violation of rules for organizing and holding assemblies, meetings, demonstrations, street rallies and pickets. Thus, if organizer violates the rules, he/she will face fine from AZN 1500 up to 3000 or according to the circumstances of the case, from 200 hours up to 240 hours public works or 2 months administrative detention (up to now it was 15 days), taking into account the identity of a perpetrator. Officials will face fines from AZN 3000 up to 6000 and legal entities from AZN 15 000 up to 30 000.

Those participating in the meeting, demonstration, street rally or picket not organized in accordance with the law face fines from AZN 300 up to AZN 600, or taking into account the offender’s identity, public works from 160 hours up to 200 hours or administrative arrest up to 2 months (currently 15 days are envisaged) are applied.
MP Gudrat Hasanguliyev said citizens use their constitutional rights.

“The state should also be interested in this. 2-month administrative arrest for participation in an unauthorized protest aims to scare the people. This is negative for our country’s image. It should be prevented,” he said.