Afgan Mukhtarli

Opposition groups say reforms will perpetuate the powers of the current leadership.
Interior minister vows to pursue the Islamic cleric´s movement.
Figures have quadrupled since 2008, largely attributed to social problems and injustice.
Move interpreted as an attempt to deflect international criticism of Baku’s´s poor human rights record.
Bad news – it doesn’t herald a softer line on dissent or a clampdown on corruption.
Local group judges vote “not free, not fair, not democratic and not transparent”.
“First they destroyed opposition-leaning and independent media inside the country, and then they shifted to the international media."
Opposition figure Ilgar Mammadov beaten up by prison staff, lawyer says.
Instead, observers from former Soviet states will applaud the ruling party's repeat victory.
European legislators demanded release of political prisoners, and a probe into allegations of high-level corruption.