Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has firmly rejected recent allegations from the European Union (EU) regarding human rights issues in the country. Aykhan Hajizade, Head of the Press Service Department, addressed the matter in response to anti-Azerbaijan statements made by Peter Stano, the EU Spokesperson for foreign affairs, and German MP Frank Schwabe.
Hajizade emphasized that the claims of political persecution and biased detentions within Azerbaijan are unfounded and unacceptable. He stated, “Any suggestion that Azerbaijani citizens face prosecution based on their political beliefs or that actions against individuals identifying as journalists or human rights advocates are politically driven is entirely baseless.”
He clarified that the detentions involve serious charges like treason, illegal financial transactions, and other criminal activities. He noted that these actions follow the country’s criminal procedural laws and are carried out transparently. Hajizade criticized the EU’s demands for the release of suspects, highlighting that such calls disregard ongoing investigations and legal processes, undermining judicial independence and contradicting European values.
Additionally, Hajizade pointed out the EU’s double standards, referencing human rights violations in several EU member states and incidents like the “yellow vest” protests and the violence in New Caledonia. He urged European institutions to cease what he described as provocations against Azerbaijan.
The response follows comments by Peter Stano, who, in an interview with Politico on August 23, claimed that Azerbaijan has detained independent journalists, human rights defenders, and civil society representatives since late 2023, calling for their release.