Karabakh to U.S. State Dept.: return of Azeri saboteurs impossibleFebruary 24, 2015 - 16:04 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - The press secretary of the Nagorno Karabakh president expressed astonishment over the U.S. Department of State’s recent call for return of Azerbaijani saboteurs, Tert.am reports. “I don’t think it is possible; we have already voiced our position,” David Babayan told Tert.am, when asked to comment on the possibility of Azerbaijan’s future claims in the wake of Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki’s reiteration of Assistant Secretary Victoria Nuland’s earlier call. One of the saboteurs, Dilham Askerov, was given a life sentence in Azerbaijan. The other, Shahbaz Quliev, was convicted for 22 years in prison over charges of spying, border infiltration, illegal use of arms and arm supplies, kidnapping and murder. Describing the United States’ call as somewhat strange, Babayan noted that Azerbaijan has more important issues to focus on. “Azerbaijan, which glorifies axe-murderer Ramil Safarov as a hero, hasn’t for some reason faced any calls. And now the Azerbaijani lobby keeps making certain attempts. [The issue] has long been closed. There was a major humanitarian gesture on our part and an open and transparent trial appropriate to a democratic country,” he added. Top stories Six total incidents have burned 19 old-growth trees. Friday night 8 trees were torched along the beautiful main entrance. The EU does not intend to conduct military exercises with Armenia, Lead Spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy Peter Stano says. Hikmet Hajiyev has said that there is no place for USAID operation in Azerbaijan any longer. A telephone conversation between Putin and Pashinyan before the CSTO summit is not planned, Peskov says. Partner news | European Parliament to discuss repression in Azerbaijan The European Parliament will discuss repression of civil society in Azerbaijan on April 24 PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. Azerbaijan razes historic Armenian church to ground Azerbaijan has demolished the historic Armenian Church of St. John the Baptist (known as Kanach Zham). |