Chairman of International Eurasia Press Fund, the Press Council's deputy chairman Umud Mirzayev commented on the extradition of Russian and Israeli citizen, blogger Alexander Lapshin from Belarus who has illegally visited the occupied territories of Azerbaijan.
U. Mirzayev said in his interview to "Eurasia Diary" that it’s one of the greatest successes and first real steps taken by Azerbaijan since the Karabakh problem commenced.
"I think the arrest and extradition of the person who illegally visited occupied territories of Azerbaijan is a great success of foreign policy of our government. I would like to thank the people and the president of Belarus as a person from the Garabagh region for supporting the extradition of Lapshin who made propaganda of the separatist regime and challenges against the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan."
He said that some of the international organizations wanted to link his arrest with freedom of media but his activity was political. "Lapshin acted for the interests of certain circles, fulfilled their tasks. Therefore, Lapshin’s arrest and extradition took place within the framework of international law. He is taking a penalty for his criminal actions", U. Mirzayev said.
IEPF chairman added that it is also a warning for those who try to illegally visit to the Nagorno Karabakh region of Azerbaijan.
General Prosecutor's Office has opened a criminal case by Penal Code 281.2 (open calls against the state) and 318.2 (illegal border crossing) about Aleksandr Lapshin who illegally visited occupied territories, made propaganda of the separatist regime and challenges against the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan. According to the survey, Lapsin who was arrested in Belarus has been sent to Baku with a special flight yesterday.