25 Feb 2019 | 07:48 PM UTC
Azerbaijan: Commemorative events to disrupt Baku traffic February 26
March commemorating Khojaly Massacre to close several Baku streets February 26; traffic disruptions and lingering delays expected
Event
Traffic restrictions are expected in the capital for marches and events commemorating the Tuesday, February 26, anniversary of the 1992 Khojaly Massacre. Marches will proceed from the intersection of Neftchilar and Bulbul avenues en route to Khojaly Park. Vehicular traffic will be diverted from 28 May Street, Khatai Avenue, Khojaly Avenue, Neftchilar Avenue, Pushkin Street, and Yusif Safarov Street. Other commemorative events are likely to take place throughout Azerbaijan on February 25-26. Azeri expat groups are also expected to hold commemorative events worldwide on February 25-26. Heightened security measures and localized traffic disruptions are possible near such gatherings.
Context
The Khojaly Massacre, in which several hundred ethnic Azeri civilians were killed by ethnic Armenian soldiers in 1992 during the Nagorno-Karabakh War, is commemorated in Azerbaijan and among Turkic communities worldwide.
Advice
Individuals in Baku are advised to monitor the situation, anticipate transportation disruptions and lingering delays, avoid all protests and demonstrations as a precaution, and avoid discussing sensitive political topics in public or on social media platforms.
