Details added (first version posted at 16:55)
Baku, Azerbaijan, Feb. 15
By Seba Aghayeva – Trend:
Statement of Amnesty International on blogger Alexander Lapshin’s case is a perverse example of double standards, Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry’s spokesman Hikmat Hajiyev told Trend.
Amnesty International’s statement saying that Lapshin may be subjected to torture is ridiculous, according to Hajiyev.
He added that this statement is absurd as the consular services of the Russian and Israeli embassies and Lapshin’s lawyer are satisfied with the conditions of the blogger’s detention.
“Why does Amnesty International still prefer to keep quiet and pretend that it knows nothing about Armenia's violation of international humanitarian law, about the fact that Armenia did not return the body of soldier Chingiz Gurbanov for more than a month and continues to keep our compatriots Dilgam Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev, who were taken hostages while visiting the graves of their relatives and who are suffering physical torture and psychological pressure?” Hajiyev said.
“Why Amnesty International, which is used to unreasonably criticize Azerbaijan at every opportunity, has not yet stated its position in connection with violation of the rights of refugees and IDPs who were exiled from their native lands as a result of Armenian aggression?”
Amnesty International’s attempts to politicize Lapshin’s case, which should be reviewed from a legal standpoint, are absolutely groundless, Hajiyev added.
False policy of Amnesty International’s double standards indicates that this non-governmental organization (NGO) has become a GONGO [a government-organized NGO set up or sponsored by a government in order to further its political interests], Hajiyev added.
Lapshin, a citizen of several countries, is accused of violating Azerbaijani laws on state border in April 2011 and October 2012. He illegally visited Azerbaijani lands occupied by Armenia.
On Jan. 17, Alexei Stuk, deputy prosecutor general of Belarus, issued a ruling on Lapshin’s extradition to Azerbaijan. Lapshin was brought to Azerbaijan on Feb. 7.