YEREVAM. – The arrest and possible extradition of famous blogger Alexander Lapshin from Minsk to Azerbaijan are illegal and clearly pursue a political purpose, chairman of Armenian Chamber of Advocates Ara Ghazaryan and lawyer Simon Banayan said.

Belarusian prosecutor’s office approved extradition of Russian-Israeli blogger Alexander Lapshin. The decision was announced in two days. Accoridng to Belarus laws, the lawyers can appeal the decision in 10 days.

Ara Ghazaryan believes the right of freedom of expression is in the background of a case against Alexander Lapshin.

“Azerbaijan, like its fraternal Turkey, is using criminal law for political purposes,” he said during a media briefing on Saturday.

According to representatives of the Armenian Chamber of Advocates, the case of Alexander Lapshin could set a dangerous precedent not only for those who visit Nagorno-Karabakh, but also the Crimea, South Ossetia.

The Chamber has formed a group to present the viewpoint of the Armenian side to the chambers in Belarus and Russia, and expects moves from Russia and Belarus colleagues.

After his visits to Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) in 2011 and 2012, famous blogger Alexander Lapshin was “blacklisted” by Azerbaijan.

In June 2016, however, he paid a visit to Azerbaijan, but with a Ukrainian passport. Subsequently, he issued several articles criticizing the Azerbaijani authorities. Afterward, the Azerbaijani authorities issued an international search for this famous blogger.

And on December 15, 2016, he was detained in the Belarus capital city of Minsk, and based on this international search.

Baku demands his extradition to Azerbaijan, and for visiting Artsakh.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, however, spoke against such extradition.

The US Department of State also had reflected on this matter.