US Congressman Frank Pallone, who was participating in the UN’s COP29 climate change summit in the Azerbaijani capital of Baku, faced protests sponsored by the Azerbaijani government, according to a press release on Pallone's official website.

“It is outrageous and very telling that President Aliyev would try to silence members of the U.S. Congress and prevent critical discussions on human rights and justice for the Armenian people, even behind closed doors,” said Pallone. “Efforts to stifle me only strengthen my resolve to fight for accountability, reform, and the dignity of those who have suffered under Azerbaijan’s oppressive regime. I will continue to fight for the release of the Armenian prisoners being held in Baku, the protection of Armenian territorial sovereignty and removal of Azerbaijani troops from Armenian land, and for a fair and lasting peace deal that finally brings calm to the region.”

"Despite Aliyev organizing violent protests to prevent me, [US] Sen[ator] [Ed] Markey & others from participating in COP29, I'll continue to fight for Armenia's territorial sovereignty, the release of Armenian prisoners & a peace deal that brings calm to the region," Pallone wrote in this regard on X.

The protesters had pursued Pallone both during the aforesaid summit and at the hotel, and the US congressman escaped physical harm only thanks to the intervention of the US State Department.

Also, president of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev had banned Pallone from attending a meeting between himself and visiting members of the US Congress. Although Pallone had requested a meeting on behalf of the US House of Representatives delegation, he was removed from the respective list.