ArmInfo. The French Foreign Ministry called on its citizens to refrain from traveling to Azerbaijan. Official Baku responded to this call from Paris with its usual nervousness.
Thus, the statement of the French Foreign Ministry, which is quoted by Turan, in particular, says: "French citizens, including those with dual citizenship, residing or traveling in transit, are at risk of arrest, arbitrary detention and unfair trial in Azerbaijan.
This risk may especially concern people on a simple tourist visit or business trip. In the event of arrest or detention, respect for fundamental rights is not guaranteed.
In addition, it is still strictly recommended not to travel to areas bordering Armenia, as well as to areas of the former autonomous region of Nagorno-Karabakh and adjacent areas," the statement says.
The head of the press service of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, Ayhan Hajizade, said that Paris's call was "unfounded".
"Such an unfounded and biased decision and statement by France indicate the country's intention to further aggravate relations with Azerbaijan.
The statements by the French Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs about the unfounded detention and arrest of French citizens have no basis," Hajizade assured, while acknowledging that two French citizens are currently in custody in Azerbaijan.
One of them, Martin Ryan, was arrested on charges of espionage. Another French citizen, Clerk Tego Hugo, was arrested for damaging property (graffiti on train cars) in the Baku metro.
Hajizade called on France to "stop the slanderous campaign against Azerbaijan."
