The case of bloger Alexander Lapshin cannot become a precedent, Armenian Foreign Minister Edward Nalbandian believes.
Nalbandian: Lapshin case cannot become a precedent
STEPANAKERT, JANUARY 31, ARTSAKHPRESS: “I am sure this will not add credibility to those who persecute people for the realization of their fundamental rights and freedoms. It's a shame,” the Minister said, News.am reports.
Despite the efforts of Azerbaijan, the flow of visitors and tourists to the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic is increasing, while the “black list” includes around 500 names of people from different areas.
“So, Azerbaijan’s move is nothing but advertising. Azerbaijan gets emotional, their actions harm themselves and those who are trying to indulge in these activities,” the Minister added.
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.
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, and US Department of State Spokesperson John Kirby, however, had spoken against Lapshin’s detention and such extradition, noting the importance of upholding freedom of speech.
