Thousands of opposition activists in Azerbaijan have held demonstrations in the capital, Baku, accusing President Heyday Aliev of rigging the Presidential elections earlier this month.

About one thousand supporters of one Presidential candidate, Etibar Mammedov, marched to the Supreme Court calling for new elections.

Several thousand supporters of candidates who boycotted the election -- including the former head of state, Abulfaz Elchibey -- gathered near the city centre to hear speeches critical of President Aliev.