Police in the Azerbaijani capital, Baku, have detained about 30 opposition protesters who were demonstrating against the country's poor human rights record.
The AFP news agency reported that many protesters were detained on May 25 by plainclothes police and that at least one photojournalist was also detained.
An opposition umbrella group called the Public Chamber has vowed to hold daily demonstrations during the Eurovision Song Contest, which is being hosted by Baku and ends on May 26.
On May 24, police broke up a similar protest and detained a few dozen demonstrators, all of whom were released later in the day.
Also on May 25, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry rejected a European Parliament resolution condemning the crackdown on protests and nonstate media.
The ministry said the resolution was "superficial, insincere...and unfair."
The AFP news agency reported that many protesters were detained on May 25 by plainclothes police and that at least one photojournalist was also detained.
An opposition umbrella group called the Public Chamber has vowed to hold daily demonstrations during the Eurovision Song Contest, which is being hosted by Baku and ends on May 26.
On May 24, police broke up a similar protest and detained a few dozen demonstrators, all of whom were released later in the day.
Also on May 25, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry rejected a European Parliament resolution condemning the crackdown on protests and nonstate media.
The ministry said the resolution was "superficial, insincere...and unfair."
