Russia continues defending legitimate rights and interests of Russia national Alexander Lapshin who was sentenced to three years in jail in Azerbaijan, Russian foreign ministry told RIA Novosti.

As it is known the charges brought against Lapshin are related to his visit to Nagorno-Karabakh, foreign ministry said in a statement.

The foreign office reminded about their principled approach to the case: “we are against criminalization of the visits to any territory in any region by journalists or other individuals”.

“We will continue to work to protect the legitimate rights and interests of the Russian citizen, taking into account the court's verdict. Representatives of the Russian Embassy in Azerbaijan are in touch with Lapshin and his lawyer,” the Russian foreign ministry added.