The incidents in the Azerbaijani settlement of Nardaran have to do with the general social and economic situation in Azerbaijan and South Caucasus, as well as the activation of the inter-political factor. Andrey Areshev, political analyst and expert at the Center for Central Asian, Caucasian and Volga-Urals Studies, Institute of Oriental Studies of the Russian Academy of Science, told the aforementioned to Armenian News – NEWS.am correspondent.
He noted that according to the latest information, the incident in Nardaran was settled, people dispersed and protests stopped. “I don’t know to which extent we can follow the situation in a small settlement through the news received. Nevertheless, it’s quite apparent that these incidents are unlikely to be accidental, not least because it’s not the first time Nardaran has turned into an arena of similar events: riots colored with religious tints,” Areshev said.
According to him, definitely a lot will depend on the ability of the authorities to control the situation, and not only by means of force, but also through dialogue with the community, considering its interests.
“Conclusions regarding the incident may differ, including the one on security agencies persecuting the organizations coming up with alternative viewpoints, as it was carried out by the “Muslim Unity.” I think this can also result in the recurrence of this kind of incidents, which took place not only in 2015, but also, for instance, in 2003. Back in the Soviet years, the settlement of Nardaran, along with a number of other places on the territory of Absheron Peninsula in the Azerbaijani SSR, was a special region, which required special attention,” Areshev said.
Earlier, a “radical Islamic group” was reported to have been neutralized in the settlement of Nardaran in Baku’s Sabunchin district. According to Aliyev’s “clan,” it was plotting a series of provocations and mass disturbances. Four protestors and two policemen died as a result of the operation. Following this, Azerbaijan’s central media outlets – which are entirely subordinated to the President’s Administration - raised hysteria on the allegedly existing foreign campaign aimed at toppling the statehood.
