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Rafig Abbasov: â€œI think there will be no need for extra measures to maintain public order and security in Baku during electionsâ€

30 June 2010 13:44 (UTC +04:00)

-Mr. General, first off all, we congratulate you with the forthcoming Police Day. Today, does Baku Police cope with responsibilities?

- I also on behalf of me and Baku police congratulate press representatives on the occasion of 135th anniversary of National Press, wish you success. As regard to your question, I must note that Baku City Main Police Office is the structure of Interior Ministry. Main responsibilities of Azerbaijani police are to protect stability, public tranquility, legality, rights and freedom of people. We try to keep up our activity with the demands of the day.

-What was done in struggle against criminality in the first half of 2010? Which scandalous crimes have been solved?

- â€œ102â€ service and â€œSafe Cityâ€, as well as â€œArea Chiefâ€ Institution created due to improvement of activity of police bodies make strong basis for protection of people more reliable. 27 from 28 murders, 5 suicide attempts, 138 from 141 road accidents were solved within the first 5 months of 2010. About 70 kg drugs were taken form offenders. As regard to the second question, there are a lot such cases. Our officers do their best in direction of revealing facts and arrest the offenders.

-There were several armed attacks on the foreign exchange offices in the capital late last year and early 2010. Why these crimes have not been solved?

-Baku police have solved a number of crimes, rendered harmless several organized gangs. The abovementioned crimes are not accidental, they are planned, well-organized crimes. Therefore they have not been solved yet. Be sure that these crimes will be solved. There is already some progress. We need public support in solving crimes. Baku Main Police Office is trying to establish perfect relations with the public.

-What can you say about tightening of the punishments for the drivers violating traffic rules according to the amendments to the â€œTraffic Lawâ€?

-The amendments and annexes made to the â€œTraffic Lawâ€ on June 22 at the meeting of the extraordinary session of the parliament envisages issuance of driving license, regulation of traffic rules, increase of responsibility for violation of rules. I can say that tightening of terms of public transport management, speed reduction in the dwelling places, increase of attention to the safety of pedestrians completely meet the interests of our citizens. Tightening of fines for administrative offences is an opportune decision.

-What can you say about the media reports that there is a group consisting of traffic policemen that commit illegal actions?

-These reports are groundless. I want to reiterate that one of the most importance issues considered priority by Interior Minister Ramil Usubov is the guarantee of legality, principles of supremacy of human rights and freedoms. So, when a policeman does something wrong, his action is immediately assessed. As a rule, such policemen are dismissed. I ask Baku residents and guests of the city to inform us when they observe shortcomings, illegality, ignorance in the activity of the police.

-Parliamentary elections will be held in Azerbaijan this year. What measures will be taken to maintain public order and security in the capital?

-Election is one of the most significant events in the socio-political life of our republic. The world practice shows that not all are satisfied with the election process. There is always a supposition that disappointed forces may attempt to make provocation in order to interfere in the election process. So, the police must control the process both during the pre-election campaign and on the Election Day, must ensure public order and immediately react to the violation of law. Baku police has enough experience in this field. Therefore, I think there will be no need for extra measures to maintain public order and security in Baku. The police will tighten security on the Election Day.

-Head of OSCE Office in Baku has said that new venues were allocated for mass actions in the capital. What are these venues?

-Baku Mayorâ€™s Office has allocated three venues in the capital for the citizens to assemble and express their views. They are stadium of Binagadi Sport-Health Complex, square in Elchin Azizov street, 20th residential area in Sabail and square opposite 29/22 block in Zigh highway, Khatai district. Every citizen can use this opportunity within the framework of the law. The duty of the police is to prevent illegal actions and ensure security of sanctioned actions.

-Baku police are taking special measures to prevent illegal street trading. But this is not assessed unambiguously by the public. What can you say about it?

-For us prevention of street trading is the demand of the public. Such illegal street trading will be prevented without discrimination. Baku Main Police Office is controlling the elimination of the street trading. Special raids are made. Much has been done in this field in the center of city, but street trading is still observed in some places. So, measures continue to prevent illegal street trading. I assure the population of the capital that Baku police will continue struggle against crimes, fulfill tasks to ensure public order and will be on guard of stability and security in the capital.