Baku expects detailed probe into provocation against Azerbaijani embassy in UK

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry has said that the country is waiting for a thorough investigation of the provocation against its embassy in London. 

The statement came from the ministry in response to media questions about the provocation against the Azerbaijani embassy in London, Caliber.Az reports.

Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Leyla Abdullayeva noted that the incident that occurred at the Azerbaijani Embassy in London is an attack by members of a radical religious group on the diplomatic mission.

"This is a provocation, and this event calls into question the security of our diplomatic mission," she stressed.

"We remind you once again that the security of diplomatic missions, including diplomats, should be provided by the host country in accordance with international obligations. In this regard, it is important that the British minister [Graham Stuart] mentioned the security of diplomatic personnel as a priority issue.

As for the 'expression of freedom of thought', which has nothing to do with the attack on our embassy in London, the relevant institutions of Britain, an ancient Western democracy, are probably well aware of the ways/rules of applying this principle in a free society.

Otherwise, the interpretation of any radical and illegal step under the guise of 'freedom' can create serious problems for the security of the country.

For our part, we expect that the provocation against our embassy in London will be investigated in detail, and the persons who committed this provocation will be brought to justice," Leyla Abdullayeva said.

On August 15, APA reported that UK Minister for Europe Graham Stuart met Azerbaijani Ambassador Elin Suleymanov to discuss a security incident at the Azerbaijani embassy in London.

"Today I spoke to Azerbaijani Ambassador Elin Suleymanov following a serious security incident at the Azerbaijani Embassy in London on 4 August. I emphasised the importance that the UK government attaches to the security of all diplomatic missions in the UK and expressed my deep regret that the event took place.

The UK has a longstanding tradition of support for the right to freedom of expression, but this must be exercised through peaceful and lawful demonstration," Stuart said following a meeting with Azerbaijani Ambassador to the UK Elin Suleymanov.