Azerbaijan MFA protests ECHR ruling, summons Council of Europe official

Head of the Council of Europe Office in Baku Petr Sich has been summoned to Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry, Report informs, citing the ministry.

During the meeting, Azerbaijan expressed strong protest over the European Court of Human Rights' June 18 ruling against the country, stressing that the decision was unfair, biased and contrary to the provisions of international law.

It was noted that in its June 16, 2016 judgment in the case of "Chiragov and Others v. Armenia," the court had established that Azerbaijani territories were under Armenia's effective occupation and that the occupying regime existed with Armenia's direct military and financial support. Against this background, the reference in the latest ruling to those territories as an independent entity under the name "NKR" was described as contrary to international law and court procedures.

Azerbaijan also objected to the use of terminology in the ruling that contradicts the country's internationally recognized sovereignty and territorial integrity. It was stated that references such as the "line of contact between Azerbaijan and the 'NKR'," as well as expressions referring to the army, authorities, prosecutor general and ombudsman of the illegal regime, amounted to an attempt to legitimize the now defunct illegal separatist regime.

During the meeting, it was emphasized that Azerbaijan categorically rejects the court's ruling and will consider all possible means and take relevant steps to protect its legitimate interests.