“Of course you all remember that the very first day since the Institute of Omudsman has been established in Nagorno-Karabakh, Ombudsman of Azerbaijan Elmira Suleymanova declared the organization is unlawful maintaining NKR was under her authority. In fact it was not a proper step for the Ombudsman as notwithstanding the fact whether the Republic is recognized or not, the citizens' right and life should be protected. Suleymanova appealed to the International, European and Asian Institutes of Ombuudsman with a request to pronounce the NKR Ombudsman unlawful rejecting his membership in the organizations,” NKR Ombudsman Yuri Hayrapetyan said at the press conference dedicated to his joining the Euroepan Institute of Ombudsman as a fullfledged member of the organization's sitting in Italy.

NKR Ombudsman also pointed out that his Azeri counterpart skiped the event.

“The reason of doing so may be her failed attempt to prevent my membership in the organization, the second may be that her term is over. It is about six months that he has been occupying the office unlawfully. The law prevents her from taking the seat again. However it will be no surprise if she does so as she is with all her might backing the authorities disregarding right of the citizens,” maintains Hayrapetyan.

He informed he had meeting with Ombudsman from all over the world in Italy. According to him, his international counterparts got interested about Karabakh and expressed willingness to visit the Republic upon invitation.

“It is crucial to maintain the network and to be updated about developments in the Ombudsman Institute worldwide,” assures Hayrapetyan.