BAKU, Azerbaijan, October 30. A provocative
rally has been held outside the Embassy of Azerbaijan in the United
Kingdom in London.
The Azerbaijani Embassy in London reported that a group of 10–15
people taking part in the rally carried Iranian flags and portraits
of Ruhollah Khomeini, the first Supreme Leader of the Islamic
Republic of Iran.
The protesters, most of whom were women, used loudspeakers to
chant various slogans and alleged that women in Azerbaijan were
facing pressure over wearing hijabs.
Notably, the protesters sought to use religious slogans and
political symbols to manipulate issues related to Azerbaijan’s
domestic policy.
The rally can be viewed as another provocative attempt by
alleged agents of influence linked to Iranian intelligence services
to target Azerbaijan’s independent policy and sovereign
decisions.
Particular attention is drawn to the attempt to portray
Azerbaijan’s decision to introduce a unified school uniform as a
move against religious freedoms.
This suggests that Azerbaijan’s independent decision-making,
policies based on its national interests and right to determine its
domestic affairs are a source of serious concern for certain
circles. As a result, attempts are being made to stir up an
international outcry against the country under various pretexts and
to use religious issues as a political tool.
However, the organizers and participants of these small-scale
rallies should remember that provocative campaigns aimed at
interfering in Azerbaijan’s internal affairs and targeting its
independent policies will not achieve their objectives.
