However, independent and pro-western policy of the PFA government could not satisfy the geopolitical interests of Russia and Iran and hence, with the support of these countries, former communists led by the former KGB, General Heydar Aliyev captured the power. Following, president Abulfaz Elchibey was forced to leave the capital city. Thousands of people were arrested; members of PFA became victims of political terror. In fact, this was the second largest attack on PFA in order to destroy this organization completely, while the leader was out of the capital city. Although, at a later stage the new regime assumed a pretense of democracy it was clear that Azerbaijan once again was in grip of authoritarianism.