"What game shall we play today?" asks one of the police chiefs to his staff when he comes to work. One of his staff jumps out and excitedly says "Truth or dare". The chief sits quietly in his seat, thinking... "It is truth or dare then" says he and orders his staff to go and take their posts of watchdogs for they are nothing more than animals, trained to do what they are told.
The game plan is simple: anyone who dares to speak of truth would be arrested and anyone who keeps quiet- gets a pad on the shoulder- simple, pathetic, repressive and sad.
Of course, this is an imaginary story but in some way or another it could probably fit with what happened today in Baku when youth (approx. 50) went on to the streets to protest increased metro prices (price increased 3x from 5 cents to 15 cents). A video on this blog shows exactly how this game is played. I am just curious, why would you arrest few guys who are against increased prices? They are not threatening to kill or lute or cut. They just wanted to get their voices heard. For that they were arrested, beaten, humiliated and taken to the court and now facing something from 15 days up to two years.
Oh well, I shouldn't be surprised. After all, why were my friends arrested on May 10 when we were peacefully walking towards the Oil Academy? Or why some of my friends were detained when the country was celebrating creation of first Azerbaijan Democratic Republic? Or why Emin and Adnan were arrested? For all the same reasons- keep quiet and you will be safe or raise your voice and you will be punished forever.
*** (Update)
Everyone arrested yesterday released on bail or with a warning. One of the guys awaits a court hearing.
4 comments:
I just love the way you write.
Otherwise, i will go cliche here, but i believe that every dictatorship is doomed and will eventually will burn, crush so on. Matter of time.
I just love the way you write.
Otherwise, i will go cliche here, but i believe that every dictatorship is doomed and will eventually will burn, crush and so on. Matter of time.
Thank you Ilkin, and you are probably right about the end but I am just one of those who grows impatient waiting...
It's sad to see my fellow Azerbaijanis get silenced by the police :(
As Ilkin said,this dictatorship will eventually fail. In the meanwhile we have to stay strong.
Also, I want to thank you for your dedication. You're a brave girl :)
regards,
Sabine
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