[:en]In the morning on October 19 the police blocked the area in the center of Baku in front of the May 28 metro station and railway station. All shops were closed in the area of the square, booths and kiosks selling small items, newspapers, and drinks were removed. Large catering facilities and a shopping center are also closed. Hundreds of cars were removed from the parking lot on the square.
Police cars were located along the perimeter of the square; police officers in civilian clothes and other law enforcement officers patrol on the square itself.
All these security measures were taken in connection with the unauthorized rallies of the National Council of Democratic Forces scheduled for 15:00.
The opposition called on all citizens to join the rally in protest against government policies, corruption, and the problems of political prisoners.
The authorities refused to authorize the rally in the city center, offering to hold it 20 km away on the outskirts of the capital.
The authorities warned of criminal liability for an unauthorized rally and carried out dozens of arrests of opposition activists.
Turan[:]