Representative of Azerbaijani opposition said 15 people were arrested in the country ahead of a protest scheduled for Saturday, Reuters reports.

Talking to the journalists, spokesman for the opposition parties said they were told by police to refrain from holding a rally. The agency says police refused to comment on the situation.

Amnesty International called on Azerbaijani authorities to end their clampdown on freedom of expression. In a statement issued on March 31 organization said 11 more political activists were arrested.

“The Azerbaijani government’s pre-emptive crackdown on those seeking reform has been wide-reaching and ruthless,” said John Dalhuisen, Deputy Director for Amnesty International’s Europe and Central Asia Programme.  “The increase in the number of incidents of harassment and violence against activists and journalists in Azerbaijan is deeply concerning. The trend