Constitutional Background
Since declaring independence from the Soviet Union, Azerbaijan refuses to have Russian troops on its territory and rejects claims of Russia to joint ownership of Caspian oil. The Caspian Sea boundaries are disputed among Azerbaijan, Iran, Kazakhstan, Russia, and Turkmenistan. Ethnic Armenians in the enclave Nagorno-Karabakh are fighting for separatism; they are supported by Armenia supports ethnic Armenians in the Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan in the longstanding, separatist conflict against the Azerbaijani Government.
History and News
- 11 Oct 1998: Re-election of Aliyev as President.
- 26 Nov 1996: Artur Rasizade becomes Prime Minister.
- 12 Nov 1995: Constitution adopted by referendum.
- 11 Nov 1995: Parliamentary elections; most opposition parties are banned from participation.
- Oct 1995: Four journalists get sentenced for up to five years in prison for "insulting the dignity of the President".
- 3 Aug 1995: Police uncovers plans for assassination of President Aliyev by street bomb.
- 18 June 1993: Election of Heydar Aliyev as President.
- 30 Aug 1991: Independence from Soviet Union.
