Azerbaijani government continues to take measures to protect rights of Farid Safarli - MFA

Following the arrest of Azerbaijani citizen Farid Habil oglu Safarli on March 4 in Iran and a court ruling against him, Safarli's mother expressed concern about her son's situation and appealed for help to the state authorities of Azerbaijan.

Caliber.Az reports that commenting on the issue, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan noted that from the moment of receipt of information about Farid Safarli the Foreign Ministry and Consulate General of the country in Tabriz undertook step-by-step works to clarify his fate, clarify the issue from the side of Iran, protect the judicial and procedural rights of the citizen and provide him with a lawyer.

"During the court session on July 19, 2023, the charge of espionage brought against Safarli was changed to the charge of "intent to commit espionage". He was sentenced to 2.5 years in prison by the court's decision.

Employees of the Consulate General of Azerbaijan in Tabriz regularly meet with Farid Safarli in prison. In addition, Farid Safarli is able to maintain telephone contact with his family members. The Azerbaijani government continues to take necessary measures to protect the rights and interests of Farid Safarli," the Foreign Ministry noted.