Azerbaijan, Baku, November 4 / Trend, K. Zarbaliyeva /
On-the-air statements of Russian journalist Vladimir Solovyev are hypocrisy, subversive act and slander, said Semen Ihiilov, Board Chairman of Azerbaijan's Mountain Jews Religious Commune.
Vladimir Solovyev, the anchor of broadcast entitled "Morning with Vladimir Solovyev. Full Contact" that was on the air at Russia's radio station Vesti FM on November 1 addressed Azerbaijan and Azerbaijani nation expressions incompatible with human values and journalism ethics. His behavior angered all citizens of the country regardless from religion or language. The religious community of our country also reacted sharply to the matter.
Semen Ihiilov, Board Chairman of Azerbaijan's Mountain Jews Religious Commune, made a special statement on behalf of him-led organization.
The journalist lamely compared Holocaust to the Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict over Nagorno Karabakh, Ihiilov said and added that Azerbaijanis have never committed an act of genocide against Armenians. On contrary, Azerbaijanis were subject to genocide in the territory of present-day Armenia and occupied Azerbaijani territories.
The appeal particularly reads that there are no any national-religious prejudices in Azerbaijan and that representatives of all nations live here in the conditions of friendship and brotherhood.
"The statement of the Russian journalist addressing the Azerbaijani State and Azerbaijanis, his hysterical remarks angered and made indignant mountain Jews residing in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan is a civil, democratic state strengthening economically. The nation of this country is sympathetic, well-wishing, cultural, highly tolerant, and welcomes everyone arriving in Azerbaijan with good intentions with bread and salt and respect," Ihiilov said.
Solovyev must apologize to the Azerbaijani State and nation for slander and insult, Ihiilov noted.