Cost of the 2015 European Games for Azerbaijan

According to Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, given the imprisonment of many political activists and journalists in Azerbaijan, opposing or criticizing the holding of the European Games is not straightforward. However, despite the suppression of dissent, the voices of Azerbaijanis opposing these games can still be heard. Some employees in government offices claim that the government has forced them to contribute part of their salaries to fund these games. The European Games, which will feature around six thousand athletes, will cost approximately 10 billion dollars. A doctor from state hospitals in Mingachevir told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that he and his colleagues have been compelled to donate between 100 to 500 dollars to the budget of these games. According to this doctor, who preferred to remain anonymous for security reasons, each department is required to contribute between two to five thousand dollars, collected from doctors and employees in each sector. However, Ilham Mayilov, head of the medical departments in Mingachevir, denied reports of money collection from doctors. Yet, there are signs indicating that some doctors have decided to pass the burden of these costs onto patients. A patient in Baku told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, "My doctor said that until two months from now, and the end of the European Games, he cannot prescribe my free medications." This individual needs four injections each month to manage his condition, costing about 380 dollars. Another person requiring chemotherapy stated that doctors informed him he would only receive one-third of the state-provided medications until the end of the European Games. Safiye Ahmadova, a spokesperson for the Azerbaijani Ministry of Health, denied reports of reduced medications and treatments for patients due to funding the European Games. However, the 'non-voluntary' contributions to the funding of the Baku European Games also involve employees from other government sectors. The father of an employee from the Ministry of Economy and Industry in Baku told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty that part of his son's salary, which like many government employees in Azerbaijan is paid as an unofficial allowance, has been cut over the past four months. He believes this amount is being saved for the games. Another employee confirmed the same practice at the customs office. Azerbaijan secured hosting these games by making costly promises such as covering travel expenses for thousands of athletes, coaches, and officials from European national teams. The European Games will take place from June 12 to 28 in Baku, featuring 250 different sporting events with six thousand athletes participating. Similar to the Eurovision music contest held in Baku in 2012, the Azerbaijani government has spent a substantial budget to present a modern and positive image of the country. However, critics argue that the Azerbaijani government has attempted to change Baku's appearance rather than improve the country's human rights and civil liberties. Many people in Baku are dissatisfied with these superficial changes and believe that this billion-dollar budget could be spent in other areas that would improve people's lives. Conversely, another group of Baku citizens is pleased with the city's improved appearance, considering cleanliness, increased green spaces, and planting flowers and trees along the streets as positive outcomes of hosting the European Games. Baku's urban transport has now been equipped with new buses and an air-conditioned subway service. Interestingly, citizens of Baku have noted on Facebook that, unlike usual, police officers in Baku are smiling these days.