Azerbaijani MP slams Armenian provocation at OSCE PA, defends national legal process

During a session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA) in Vienna, Azerbaijani MP Sevinj Fataliyeva responded to provocative statements made by Armenian MP Lilit Galstyan during a session of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly (PA) in Vienna.

The discussion, which focused on the “New Technologies and Social Media: Effects on Elections” took an unexpected turn when Galstyan made unfounded accusations against Azerbaijan, Caliber.Az reports citing local media.

Galstyan, in her speech, sought to mislead the assembly by making baseless claims about Azerbaijan’s judicial system. She specifically targeted the trials of individuals linked to the former Armenian separatist regime, including Ruben Vardanyan, who faces charges of terrorism and other grave crimes.

Without providing any evidence, Galstyan claimed that these trials were biased. Additionally, she controversially referred to these individuals as “prisoners of war”, a statement that was completely unrelated to the topic under discussion.

In her rebuttal, Fataliyeva firmly defended Azerbaijan’s legal processes. She highlighted that Azerbaijan operates under its national laws and international conventions. "Azerbaijan has the sovereign right to investigate and prosecute individuals in criminal cases related to war crimes and terrorism committed on its sovereign territory," Fataliyeva stated.

Addressing the charges against Ruben Vardanyan and the others involved, Fataliyeva clarified, "Ruben Vardanyan and the other 15 individuals facing prosecution are charged with serious crimes, including terrorism, genocide, and war crimes. The trials are being conducted transparently and in full compliance with legal standards."

These individuals face serious charges under Azerbaijan's Criminal Code, including terrorism, financing terrorism, and the illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

Specifically, they have been accused of engaging in terrorism, supporting armed groups, and organizing training for terrorism. Vardanyan, in particular, is accused of fueling separatism both politically and financially, having renounced his Russian citizenship and moved to Karabakh in September 2022.

Azerbaijan's actions are part of a broader effort to hold accountable those involved in the separatist regime, following its collapse after the 2020 ceasefire. The detentions and charges reflect legal ramifications following the Karabakh conflict.

By Vafa Guliyeva