Azerbaijani Prosecutor General's Office urges to investigate Armenia's environmental crimes

The Azerbaijani General Prosecutor's Office has launched verification of the information received from various sources, including information published in local and foreign media, about pollution of the Araz River and its left tributary Okchuchay in the area bordering Armenia.

It was established that Armenia's large mining enterprises Kajaran Copper and Molybdenum Combine and Gafan Mining and Processing Combine have been intensively polluting the transboundary Okchuchay for a long time, Caliber.Az reports, citing the press service of the office.

As a result of pollution, toxic wastes containing chromium, nickel, copper, molybdenum, zinc, aluminium, vanadium and other heavy metals constantly flow into Okchuchay. Despite the fact that the problems in the existing production have not been solved, a large metallurgical plant is under construction in the village of Yeraskh (Arazdeyan) in Armenia.

In all these cases, foreign investors from leading countries of the world do not ensure compliance with any environmental regulations, contrary to the requirements of international and domestic legislation of their countries. The exploitation of mining enterprises and the construction of new enterprises threaten the life and health of tens of thousands of people.

Therefore, guided by the requirements of the UN Conventions on Transboundary Watercourses and Protection of International Lakes and Espoo (Environmental Impact Measurement), the Azerbaijani prosecutor general requested the relevant foreign and international organisations, including the UN Economic Commission, as well as the relevant Environment Ministries of Great Britain and Germany to cooperate in determining the environmental impact.

The prosecutor general emphasised the need for an objective and impartial investigation aimed at obtaining the necessary result to ensure the proper operation of mining operations in accordance with industry environmental standards.

Thus, the prosecutor general has exercised his statutory authority to address violations of the law and the causes and conditions contributing to the criminal offence.

The Prosecutor General's Office declares that all circumstances of the case will be investigated objectively, followed by legal measures in accordance with national and international legislation.