Azerbaijani MP slams Russian colleague for hypocrisy over Karabakh monument

Member of the Azerbaijani Milli Majlis (Parliament) and political analyst Rasim Musabayov commented on his Facebook page regarding recent statements made by Konstantin Zatulin, Deputy Chairman of the Russian State Duma Committee on CIS Affairs, which have sparked public outrage in Azerbaijan.

As reported by Caliber.Az, the MP recalled Zatulin’s controversial reputation across the post-Soviet space.

“Zatulin is such a ‘successful’ figure that he has long been banned from entering most of the CIS countries, including Armenia.”

“Lately, Zatulin has reappeared in the Russian media following a resounding slap he reportedly received from State Duma Deputy Speaker Pyotr Tolstoy — a fellow ultra-nationalist just like the one who got slapped. In an apparent attempt to divert media attention, Zatulin found nothing better to do than shed a manly tear over the dismantling of a sculpture of Aivazovsky in Karabakh. This Russian marine painter, regardless of his Armenian ethnicity, is well known and appreciated in Azerbaijan. However, Baku has no intention of indulging the unauthorised ‘artistic expressions’ of separatists and the so-called NKR regime, which was successfully removed in 2023.”

“Zatulin’s tearful performance in the media won’t win back the favour of the Armenian authorities. As for Azerbaijan, Zatulin is well known here as a fervent instigator and patron of separatism throughout the post-Soviet space.”

“If Zatulin has now reinvented himself as a defender of monuments, let me remind him that he repeatedly made illegal visits to Karabakh in the past, while conveniently ignoring the desecrated Azerbaijani mosques, our historical heritage, and the vandalised monuments of Natavan, Bulbul, and other prominent Azerbaijani cultural figures in their native Shusha. So, Zatulin, don’t try to associate yourself with Aivazovsky — his memory doesn’t need your protection,” Musabayov stressed.

By Vugar Khalilov