No one will get credit for the situation around Russian-Israeli blogger and traveler Alexander Lapshin – quite the opposite, Armenian FM Edward Nalbandian stated on Monday, while summing up the foreign ministry’s annual activities for 2016 at a press conference in Yerevan.
Asked to comment on the case of blogger Lapshin, who faces extradition to Azerbaijan over his visits to the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), Nalbandian said any attempt of hindering fundamental human rights and freedoms is a ‘disgrace.’
“In all cases, that disgrace constitutes a vocal part of their identity,” added Minister Nalbandian, rejecting the idea the case may set a precedent of keeping people from visiting Karabakh.
“People used to visit, are visiting and will continue visiting. The black list comprised by Azerbaijani leadership contains political and public figures who have global reputation and recognition. Can you imagine anyone to cooperate with Azerbaijan over extraditing, handing over or obstructing them? – of course, no – with minor exceptions,” the minister stressed.
Minister Nalbandian went on suggesting more people are visiting the Nagorno Karabakh Republic despite the constant uproars and noise by the Azerbaijani side.
“The more they hinder, the more they advertise with more people wishing to visit and see Karabakh. Azerbaijan wastes its nerves and ultimately occurs in a situation we witness today. I think this has a damaging effect on Azerbaijani reputation and on those cooperating with it alike,” FM Nalbandian stated.
