(24 May 2012) Up to 35 opposition activists are reported to have been detained by police in Baku, as tension in the Azerbaijan capital ramped up ahead of Saturday's finals of the Eurovision song contest.
An opposition party member was detained by what appeared to be plain clothed police officers as she spoke to the media on Thursday.
Negar Yaghooblu was in the middle an interview on the streets of the capital when she was set upon by a group of men.
A series of clashes followed as activists tried to free her from police custody.
"Despite all the violence from the government, from the police we will continue to hold such rallies until political prisoners are released and until there is freedom of speech," Yaghooblu had pledged before being dragged away.
The clashes took place near a public television station which is broadcasting the song contest.
Opposition groups have been trying to use the global attention generated by Eurovision to publicise rights issues they say have been overlooked for years.
Activists say that blatant trampling of democratic freedoms is being ignored by Western powers eager to exploit Azerbaijani oil wealth.
The US State Department's 2010 human rights reports speaks of limitations on freedom of expression and assembly, impediments to political activities and a flawed election that secured a new term for President Ilham Aliyev in 2008.
After changes to the law in 2009, Aliyev, who inherited power from his late father in 2003 in a move that many have described as a monarchic-style handover, will be permitted to run for office indefinitely.
Similar attempts to hold anti-government rallies ahead of the Eurovision finals have also been robustly shut down.
The extravaganza is viewed by some 125 (m) million people worldwide, as it pits performers from 42 nations against one another.
The finals are to be held Saturday in a new 134 (m) million US dollar Crystal Palace concert hall on a point jutting out into the Caspian Sea.


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