Estonian MP Vladimir Velman, who visited Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) as an observer of the parliamentary elections held on May 3, told the Azerbaijani news agency Haqqin.az that in a democratic country a person has a right to free movement.

 “The supreme value of a democratic society is the free person who has the right to be everywhere. I do not intend to give political assessments to the processes around Karabakh in any way. But as an MP, I must not ask a permission from someone to go somewhere,” Velman said. 

Responding to the question why Velman didn’t inform about his visit to NKR to Azerbaijan’s Embassy in Estonia, the Estonian MP said he is only accountable to his voters. “When I go somewhere, I never inform about it. Neither Estonia’s MFA nor the leadership of our faction in our Parliament. I only inform that I’ll be away for a certain period of time,” the Estonian MP said.

Vladimir Velman isn’t afraid of the notorious ‘black list’ of Azerbaijan either:  “Included, well and good. I have been included in some lists, even in Estonia, before. Once such a practice is exercised in Azerbaijan, what can one do?”

On May 3 the sixth NKR parliamentary elections were held, with over 70 per cent of voter turnout. The elections were held in a free and competitive environment, in line with international standards, as confirmed by nearly 100 international observers from thirty countries.

Commenting on the parliamentary elections in NKR, Azerbaijan’s MFA threatened to start a war.