YEREVAN. - The statement of the Azerbaijani authorities on launching a criminal case against MEPs Frank Engel (Luxembourg), Eleni Theocharous (Cyprus,) and Jaromír Štětina (Czech Republic) in connection with the observation mission during the constitutional referendum held in Artsakhshould be described as ridicule and political idiocy.
Head of the Armenian parliamentary Committee on Foreign Relations, Artak Zakaryan, wrote the aforementioned on his Facebook page.
“This undertaking is nothing but another step from the Azerbaijani authorities aimed at trampling on the reputation of their own country. Azerbaijan continues proving to the world that it is not only far from the concept of “human rights” in its own country, but is also ready to consider the international norms and principles invalid. Launching of a criminal case against the European Parliament is aimed at restricting their right to free movement, as well as hindering their freedom of speech, let alone, their right to immunity. And all this happens in the 21st century by a state which is a member of European organizations. Such treatment from Azerbaijan should receive harsh criticism from international organizations.
The Azerbaijani President, who cynically boycotts meetings with the President of the European Parliament, demonstratively neglects human rights resolutions adopted by the European Parliament and strengthens the power of his family clan in his own country through smothering democracy, has overstepped the line of tolerance of the international community. It is time to send this khan state to hell from the European civilization.”
Earlier, Azerbaijani media had reported, citing the Prosecutor General’s Office of Azerbaijan, that, purportedly, the aforementioned three MEPs were wanted—through Interpol—for visiting Nagorno-Karabakh to conduct an observation mission during Monday’s constitutional referendum there.
But head of the Armenia Police Media and Public Relations Department, Ashot Aharonyan, told Armenian News-NEWS.am that these MEPs are not on the Interpol wanted persons’ list.
