The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Azerbaijan has pardoned Russian politician Andrei Bogdanov.

Bogdanov, who is a Mason, a Grand Master of the Grand Lodge of Russia, and Chairman of the Communist Party of Social Justice of Russia, had written a letter to the Azerbaijani foreign ministry requesting to remove his name from the “blacklist” of persona non grata of the MFA, reported APA news agency of Azerbaijan.  

This “blacklist” comprises well-known individuals who have visited Nagorno-Karabakh without the “permission” of Azerbaijani authorities.

In the letter, Bogdanov had expressed his regret over visiting Nagorno-Karabakh, apologized for his action, and promised to conduct himself better in the future. 

Andrei Bogdanov’s respective petition was reviewed, and it was decided to remove his name from this “blacklist.”