Zakharova: Statements by Russian journalists wanted by Baku don't reflect Moscow's position

The statements made by Russian journalists wanted by the Azerbaijani Prosecutor General's Office do not reflect Moscow's position on Baku, Russian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Maria Zakharova said, Report informs referring to NEWS.ru.

According to her, the opinions of these private individuals have nothing to do with Russia's state policy.

"We believe that Russian-Azerbaijani relations should develop based on the existing bilateral legal framework, primarily the Declaration on Allied Interaction signed at the highest level in Moscow on February 22, 2022," the publication quotes Zakharova as saying.

On August 17, the General Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan released information stating that necessary measures have been taken towards organizing an international search through Interpol channels for Russian citizens - host of the "Moscow 24" TV channel, journalist Ivan Knyazev; Semyon Uralov, who presents himself as a political consultant and media expert in the Russian Federation; and Alexei Chadayev, advisor to the minister of transport of the Russian Federation, who also acts as a television correspondent.

The aforementioned individuals are accused of making open calls for the forcible change of the constitutional order of the Republic of Azerbaijan, the fragmentation of its territorial integrity, the incitement of national hatred and enmity, as well as terrorism.

On August 18, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry summoned Russian Ambassador Mikhail Yevdokimov, expressing a strong protest to the diplomat over recent provocative statements made in Russian media against Azerbaijan and its leadership.

Chadayev later resigned from his post as advisor to the Russian minister of transport.