BAKU, Azerbaijan — Police in Azerbaijan clashed on Saturday with market vendors who blocked a major road to protest an increase in rental fees for their stalls that was imposed by the owners of their trading center.
Footage on Radio Free
Europe/Radio Liberty’s Azerbaijan service showed riot police firing
tear gas into large crowds occupying a rock-strewn highway about 15
kilometers (10 miles) outside the capital, Baku.
The former Soviet
republic has grown rich on its oil, but government critics contend that
the wealth is unevenly distributed, leading to social tensions.
Police said 10 officers were seriously injured and several service vehicles were damaged in the clash.
“Participants
in the incident did not heed warnings to desist from their action aimed
at disrupting public order. They resisted police and resorted to
actions perilous to life and health,” prosecutors and police said in a
joint statement.
At least 30 people were detained, police said.
Although
anger among vendors at the Bina trading center was not directed at the
government, some expressed frustration at what they said was the lack of
support from the authorities.
“We want help. We want the
government to listen to us. They are demanding that we pay an additional
250 manat ($320) for rent. That is very expensive, more than in other
places,” said one man filmed by RFE/RL. Average monthly salaries in
Azerbaijan stand at around $450.
