Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muiznieks dismissed Azerbaijani media reports about the reasons for his visit to Baku.

“Contrary to some media reports, I have not come to Azerbaijan to participate in a conference, but to meet with human rights defenders in detention, their defense lawyers and families, and to continue my dialogue with the authorities on ways to improve freedom of expression, freedom of association and freedom of assembly in the country,” he wrote on Facebook.