Armenian actions against Moldovan ombudsman labeled 'terror act on state level'

Source: AzerNews

European Azerbaijanis Congress (EAC) is concerned over the events that followed the speech of Moldovan Ombudsman Aurelia Grigoriu in the Armenian parliament, the Azerbaijani State Committee for Work with Diaspora said on July 30.

Addressing the European Parliament, social and political institutions, and generally the European public, EAC urged to protest against the coarse, uneducated and misguided reaction of Armenia to the speech of the guest speaker, stressed that the diplomatic and universal norms and values had been violated by these actions and demanded that they be regarded as a terror act committed at state level.

On July 4 Grigoriu addressed an international conference organized by the Constitutional Court of Armenia. She blamed the Armenian government for the occupation of Azerbaijani territories and genocide against the Azerbaijani people in Khojaly, labeling this as aggression, and stated that Armenia does not comply with international law.

The Khojaly massacre is one of the most heinous and bloodiest events of the 20th century. Late into the night of February 25, 1992, the town of Khojaly came under intensive fire from the town of Khankendi and Askeran already occupied by Armenian armed forces. 613 civilians were killed, including 106 women, 70 elderly and 83 children, and a total of 1,000 civilians were disabled. Moreover, 1,275 innocent people were taken hostage.

Grigoriu referred to facts substantiating her remarks and mentioned the United Nations Security Council's four resolutions on Armenian withdrawal from the Azerbaijani territory, and the UN General Assembly resolution on the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Azerbaijan.

According to her, Armenia's aggression against Azerbaijan has become the biggest obstacle on the way of development of the South Caucasus region and integration into Europe.

After her speech at the Armenian parliament, Grigoriu was pressured and prevented from leaving the country.

The Moldovan ombudsman faced the threat of prosecution and even blackmail, was urged to extend an official apology to Armenia, and threatened with revenge otherwise. After Grigoriu left Armenia, the local media continue the hostile campaign against her.

EAC believes that such a reaction of the Armenian government and everything that has happened is nothing but an act of terrorism orchestrated at the state level.

It said these developments in Armenia confirm that not only international law, but also the basic ethical norms of society are disrespected in this country.

EAC condemned the Armenian instigators and perpetrators of this incident and called on the European Parliament to support the objective and fair statement of the Moldovan ombudsman and protect her right to free speech.

Armenia and Azerbaijan fought a lengthy war that ended with the signing of a fragile ceasefire in 1994. Armenian armed forces have since occupied over 20 percent of Azerbaijan's internationally recognized territory, including Nagorno-Karabakh and seven adjacent regions, defying the U.N. Security Council's four resolutions on a pullout from the occupied territories.