BAKU, January 24 (RIA Novosti) - Vehicles and a building were set on fire during an unrest in the northwestern Azerbaijani city of Ismayilli, presumably sparked by a drunk driving incident, Azerbaijan’s APA news agency reported on Thursday.
Local police chief Nizami Godzhayev said police persuaded protestors to calm down by about 3:00 a.m. local time Thursday [11:00 p.m. GMT Wednesday].
"The unrest was sparked by an incident,” Godzhayev told the APA news agency, explaining that a dispute over a drunk driving accident is seen as the most likely reason.
Emil Shakhmardanov, the owner of a local motel, crashed into an electricity pole, apparently while drunk.
“Locals shouted at the man, he snapped back and so the conflict gained momentum. An angry crowd gathered and set fire to his hotel and car,” Godzhayev said.
The agency earlier reported said a group of residents also gathered outside the house of the regional administration chief, demanding his resignation.
“They failed to set fire to his house, but they burned something in the yard,” the police chief said.
Initial reports said an auxiliary building, a car and a motorbike were set ablaze.
Shakhmardanov, along with another man who was in his car at the moment of the accident, were detained.
Two people - a protestor and a police officer - were injured. An investigation is underway.
