Police in Azerbaijan detain 21 protesters angered by man's death in police custody

Published August 22, 2015

Police in Azerbaijan have detained 21 people after they held a protest to demand justice for a man who died in police custody in the western town of Mingachevir.

The Interior Ministry said the man, 27-year-old Bahruz Hajiyev, "unexpectedly jumped out of a third-floor window during questioning" on Thursday and died of his injuries. Police said they had arrested him on suspicion of selling and using narcotics.

After Hajiyev's funeral on Saturday, some of his friends and supporters tried to stage a protest march in Mingachevir. The Interior Ministry said they ignored orders to disperse and clashes broke out with police, who detained 21 protesters.

The government of Azerbaijan, an oil-rich former Soviet republic on the Caspian Sea, has shown little tolerance for dissent.

URL

https://www.foxnews.com/world/police-in-azerbaijan-detain-21-protesters-angered-by-mans-death-in-police-custody