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Hundreds rally over Azerbaijan's conscript death

Published: January 12, 2013 Comment on this article

photo - Demonstrators carry portraits of Jeyhun Gubabov, who authorities say died of heart failure during a rally in downtown Baku, Azerbaijan, Saturday Jan. 12, 2012. Several hundred people have rallied in the center of Azerbaijan's capital in a social media-organized gathering in protest at the death earlier this month of the military conscript. Gubabovi's mother says he was the victim of physical mistreatment.(AP Photo/Turxan Kerimli)

Demonstrators carry portraits of Jeyhun Gubabov, who authorities say died of heart failure during a rally in downtown Baku, Azerbaijan, Saturday Jan. 12, 2012. Several hundred people have rallied in the center of Azerbaijan's capital in a social media-organized gathering in protest at the death earlier this month of the military conscript. Gubabovi's mother says he was the victim of physical mistreatment.(AP Photo/Turxan Kerimli)

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Protests are as a rule paid scant notice in state media, but this rally did earn some coverage and official comment.

Mubariz Gurbanly, a leading parliamentary deputy in the ruling Yeni Azerbaijan party, told the APA state news agency that the voice of protesters had been heard. He warned against individuals with their own political agendas taking advantage of public outrage, however.

Authorities are wary of any signs of public dissent, particularly in view of this October's presidential election, which is expected to see incumbent Ilham Aliyev easily retain his iron grip over the Caspian Sea nation.

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