Actions in support of Azerbaijan in Iran (2020)
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Actions in Support of Azerbaijan in Iran[edit]
Support rallies for Azerbaijan, actions, and demonstrations against Iran and Armenia by Iranian Azerbaijanis following the Battle of Tovuz and the Second Karabakh War in 2020.
Demonstrations were prevented in several cities. Security forces intervened in more than ten cities, breaking up the actions and arresting participants. The participants showed their support for the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan and shouted slogans against Armenia and Iran. Hundreds of detained citizens included women, elderly, and children. Many faced violence during detention, with some being tortured and beaten. Some prominent cases include: - Sajjad Colani, who is visually impaired, was beaten and his nose was broken during his arrest. - Fatma Ibrahimzade, detained in Tabriz, was interrogated and tortured in front of her 13-year-old daughter Kovsar Nemati. - Parviz Siyabi, 74, arrested in Ardabil, was beaten in prison. Most participants were also subjected to flogging, with human rights defenders noting the purpose was to humiliate national activists.
History[edit]
During both the First Karabakh War and the occupation of Karabakh, there were protests against Iran's assistance to Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh in Karabakh. These protests were held by Azerbaijani citizens, at the state level, or by world Azerbaijanis and Iranian Azerbaijanis. Often these support actions were broken up, and participants were either arrested, tortured, or persecuted.
In June 2004, Armenian state officials visited Ardabil to discuss economic cooperation, but protests erupted when it was revealed that the Armenian delegation included representatives from the so-called Nagorno-Karabakh Republic. Protesters gathered in Ardabil's Sarchesme Mosque, where security forces stormed the mosque, beating and arresting those inside, including national cultural activist Abbas Lisani, who was brutally beaten.
On February 27, 2019, Nikol Pashinyan met with the Armenian community at the Ararat sports complex in Tehran. At this meeting, he posed with a banner reading "Karabakh is Armenia and the end," sparking protests both in Azerbaijan and by Iranian Azerbaijanis. On March 1, 2019, activists wrote "Karabakh is an integral part of Azerbaijan" on the wall of the complex in Tehran.
During the Second Karabakh War, video footage and images circulated on social networks, allegedly showing weapons, ammunition, and military equipment purchased from Russia being transported to Armenia via the Nurduz border crossing in Iran. This sparked protests among Iranian Azerbaijanis. Iran denied these claims but acknowledged the transfer of military equipment through its territory.
During July Clashes in 2020[edit]
After the Tovuz battles started on July 12, 2020, Azerbaijanis living in Iran called for support actions for Azerbaijan in cities like Tabriz, Urmia, Ardabil, Zanjan, Sulduz, and Tehran. Security forces threatened activists and prevented demonstrations. Despite this, actions took place in several cities.
On July 16, demonstrations were held in Tabriz and other cities. Participants condemned Armenia's occupation policies and chanted slogans such as "Long live Azerbaijan, let those who oppose it be blind!" and "Karabakh is ours, it will be ours!" Several demonstrators were detained, including Hakima Ahmadi, Yaseman Zafari, Sadullah Sasaniyan, Rahim Sasaniyan, and Mehdi Purali. In January 2021, they were sentenced to one year in prison and 60 lashes.
In Urmia, Farid Khorshidi and Salar Tahir Afshar were arrested. Farid was later acquitted, while Salar was sentenced to 3 years in prison in 2021.
In Tehran, Huseyn Shahidi, Hadi Alishi, and Yagub Majidi were arrested and taken to Evin prison. They were released on July 20, but Hamid Jabbarli was detained longer and released on bail on July 27.
During the Second Karabakh War[edit]
Azerbaijanis living in Iran applied to the Azerbaijani consulate in Tabriz, expressing their desire to fight voluntarily on the side of Azerbaijan. Consul Aliyannagi Huseynov thanked them for their support.
Azerbaijanis held demonstrations in multiple cities, including Tehran, in support of the Azerbaijani Army and against Iran's assistance to Armenia. Azerbaijani flags were raised, and protesters chanted slogans like "Karabakh is ours, it will be ours!" and "Supporting Armenia is a crime, a crime." Hundreds of Azerbaijani protesters were arrested, beaten, and subjected to torture. Police and security forces responded harshly, using tear gas, rubber bullets, and batons.
In October 2020, a group of Iranian Azerbaijani feminists released a statement condemning the war and calling for an end to the occupation and implementation of UN resolutions for peace.
Ardabil[edit]
On September 29, 2020, activists held a demonstration in Ardabil's Jiral Park in support of the Azerbaijani Army and against Iran's aid to Armenia. Participants were beaten and arrested, with some like Sajjad Colani, a visually impaired activist, being severely beaten. Abbas Lisani, a national cultural activist, faced restrictions on meeting relatives and making phone calls. He protested these bans with a sit-in at the prison guard's office.
On September 30, several national activists posed with a banner reading "One nation is behind you, the Azerbaijani army" near Sheikh Safi's tomb. The following day, police and security forces raided their homes, arresting Meysam Colani and Ali Khairju. They were later sentenced to four months in prison and 20 lashes each.
In December 2020, several national cultural activists were sentenced to prison and lashes. In October 2021, additional activists were sentenced to prison and lashes.
Tabriz[edit]
On October 1, the largest protests took place in Tabriz, resulting in numerous arrests. Participants chanted slogans like "Long live Azerbaijan," "Karabakh is ours, it will be ours," and "We are ready to die, we are Babak's soldiers." On Rastakucha Street, some detained participants were rescued by fellow citizens. Despite this, most demonstrators were beaten, and around 40 individuals were arrested.
In October 2020, national activists announced a "Support for Karabakh" rally scheduled for October 18. Security forces threatened and arrested some activists before the demonstration. Despite this, a support rally for Azerbaijan took place in Tabriz on October 18. Participants chanted slogans and called for the closure of the Norduz border crossing point between Iran and Armenia. Several women were arrested alongside men, with some detained with their children.
Zanjan[edit]
On September 30, Azerbaijanis in Zanjan unveiled a poster reading "Motherland is ahead of the borders on the maps" near the Dome of Soltaniyeh. The following day, they gathered in Sabze Meydan to show support for Azerbaijan. Security officials arrived, and individuals displaying pro-Azerbaijan placards and banners were beaten and arrested. The rally resumed but was again interrupted by security forces, resulting in several arrests.
Urmia[edit]
On October 1, rallies in support of Azerbaijan were held on Imam and Atayi streets in Urmia. Several individuals, including Hushang Nagizadeh, Amir Govhari, and Sahand Behnamun, were arrested. Some were later temporarily released. In November 2020, additional arrests occurred, with several activists being detained and later sentenced to prison.
Khudafarin[edit]
On October 18, 2020, when Khudafarin was liberated by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, videos showed Azerbaijanis living on the south side of the Araz River cheering the soldiers and chanting slogans. The following days, people were not allowed to go to the river bank.
After Azerbaijan liberated the border regions with Iran, a mechanized infantry brigade called "Imam Zaman" was deployed to the Khudafarin region. The army's training exercises near the border with Azerbaijan during the war and its deployment in the area were condemned by local residents.
National activist Vugar Nemat, residing in Garadagh, was arrested by ETTELAAT forces in Keleybar on October 30, following an interview he gave to the Azerbaijan service of RFE/RL. In the interview, he expressed that the people in the southern region of the Araz River were observing the battles and the advances of the Azerbaijani army with joy.
References[edit]
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