Blogger’s new lawyer says Lapshin has no complaints on health, conditions of detention

By Rashid Shirinov

Blogger Alexander Lapshin, who is under arrest in Azerbaijan, has no complaints on his health state and conditions of detention, the blogger’s new lawyer told Trend.

The lawyer was hired by the blogger’s family. The lawyer confirmed that he has signed a contract with the mother of Alexander Lapshin.

“His mother arrived in Baku and signed a contract with me. I currently protect the rights of Alexander Lapshin,” the lawyer said on February 23.

 “Safar Huseynov is a lawyer appointed by the Azerbaijani state, and I have been appointed by his family. There is no information yet if Lapshin refused Huseynov’s services.”

Blogger Lapshin will stand trial in Baku for his illegal visits to the occupied Nagorno-Karabakh region of Azerbaijan.

Lapshin, who owns citizenships of several countries, paid a number of visits to Azerbaijan`s occupied lands, where he voiced support for "independence" of the illegal regime, and made public calls against Azerbaijan`s internationally recognized territorial integrity. The blogger was arrested in Belarus and later was extradited from Minsk to Baku.

The lawyer added that he has already submitted his warrant to the investigation, met with Lapshin and inquired about the conditions of his detention and his health. “He has no complaints,” the lawyer said.

He added that the case is being followed by the Russian and Belarusian embassies in Baku. The lawyer said that the investigation is still ongoing and can be completed in the near future.

Earlier, representatives of the Russian and Israeli embassies in Azerbaijan met with Lapshin. After the meeting, the embassies confirmed that Lapshin has no complaints about conditions of detention. Representatives of the ICRC and Azerbaijan Ombudsman Office also met the blogger.

Baku has repeatedly warned foreign officials and diplomats of unauthorized visits to its territories that are occupied by Armenia, calling them contradictory to international law.

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry and diplomatic missions pay special attention to the illegal activity in the occupied areas of Azerbaijan. The work is constantly carried out to prevent such illegal actions.