A parade dedicated to the 90th year anniversary of the creation of Azerbaijani Army was conducted in “Azadlig” Square yesterday (26 June).
Besides AZTV, no TV channel, including Public TV, was allowed to film the parade, and this no mass media representatives, other than AZTV employees, were let into “Azadlig” square. The employees of the Institute for Reporters’ Freedom and Safety, who were monitoring the streets and squares, noted these incidents.
According to IRFS employees, regular citizens, who were lined up on the both sides of “Neftchiler” prospect, were not able to watch the parade, because it never reached them. Police didn’t let citizens enter onto “Azadlig” prospect, and calmed them down saying that the march will proceed to “Neftchiler” prospect. However, only a few fight vehicles passed through the prospect. Citizens, who anxiously waited for a real parade till 2 p.m., as well journalists, were able to find out later that the parade was conducted only in the “Azadlig” Square for officials only and was already over.
According to “Radio Liberty”, 4,500 (four thousand five-hundred) Armed Forces personnel participated in the parade. Two hundred and ten pieces of military equipment, 19 helicopters, 25 planes, 31 ships, and one boat participated in the parade. This was the second military parade in Azerbaijan since 1992.
IRFS notes that, Azerbaijani military was created on 26 June 1918 through a decision issued by the Popular Republic Parliament. After Azerbaijan regained its independence the second time, in September of 1991, the Supreme Council adopted a decision to create the Defense Ministry and then on 9 October adopted a decision to create Azerbaijan’s Armed Forces.
Photos from the parade can be viewed here .