“It is a shame because I think it is a great opportunity for the country to put a good foot forward on the world stage but, based on what I have seen today, I’m not so sure.”
The event is rapidly becoming a PR headache for the oil rich, post-Soviet republic. International coverage has seen glitzy images of Baku and Eurovision performances juxtaposed with footage of police brawling with peaceful demonstrators.
Azerbaijan has used the contest to showcase the fruits of its oil wealth but the government has had to defend itself from accusations that it forcibly evicted families and demolished their homes to build Crystal Hall.
It was unclear where all of those arrested were taken but throughout the week hundreds of demonstrators have been driven to Gobustan, on the outskirts of the city and left to make their own way home. Giorgi Gogia, a researcher at Human Rights, visited some of the detainees at 0200 on Saturday morning:
“There were about 60 men in a 12x12m cell, they could barely move let alone sit. People were given a bit of undrinkable water and no food.”
On Thursday, the European Parliament passed a resolution calling for the “immediate stop to all actions aimed at suppressing the freedom of expression and assembly in Azerbaijan.”
Government spokesman Elman Abdullayev said that the resolution was, “part of a continuing campaign to politicise the Eurovision.”
Activists have also been using the rare presence of foreign press in the country to advance their cause and further protests on Saturday are highly likely. Many opposition members are concerned about the consequences of their actions. Fuad Marasov added: “When all of you leave, there will be a new wave of oppression.”
