Both the parliamentary elections in 1995 and the presidential elections in 1998 were marred with fraud and violations which drew criticism from international election monitors and organizations. A demonstrator shouts slogans in front of a riot police cordon during a rally October 9. Several thousand riot police and Interior Ministry troops fanned out across the center of the Azeri capital on Friday as anti-government protestors tried to assemble for a rally. The leaders of political parties that are boycotting next Sunday's presidential elections had called the demonstration.
Demonstrators clash with riot police.
This helped Heydar Aliyev create the rubber stamp parliament that exists today, which is only present to affirm Aliyev's powers and to plunder what's left of Azerbaijan. There was more international attention on Azerbaijan as it went through its presidential elections in 1998. The opposition tried to meet before the elections only to be surpressed by the violent police force of Azerbaijan. Many demonstrators were beaten, arrested, and tortured. As many as 29 journalists were injured by the police in a blatant display of disrespect and contempt for freedom of press and human rights.