The U.S. criticized Council of Europe mission for giving positive assessment of Azerbaijani presidential elections. The criticism was voiced by Christopher Midura, Acting Deputy Chief of US Mission to the OSCE, in response to the address by the CE Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland, Contact.az reported. 

“Wile ODIHR and the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly found ‘significant problems throughout all stages of election day processes’ and found that the election was ‘undermined by limitations on the freedoms of expression, assembly and association,’ we were surprised that the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) assessed that a ‘free, fair and transparent’ process prevailed on election day,” the letter mentions.

He recalled that US had recently joined the Council of Europe’s Venice Commission as a full member of and “looks forward to promoting human rights and democratic governance through that important institution.”

“The US believes that the OSCE and the Council of Europe have significant, complementary roles to play in strengthening respect for human rights, fundamental freedoms, democracy, and rule of law,” reads the statement.

Azerbaijani opposition accused authorities of paying bribes to the PACE mission. The opposition claimed the talks were held in Hilton hotel in Strasbourg. The Council of Europe did not respond to the accusations.