We strongly condemn and reject the attempt by the spokesperson of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs, in a statement dated September 17, to justify a travel warning to Azerbaijan with allegations of "risk of arbitrary detention and unfair trial."

Operativ Media reports that this was stated in a commentary by Ayxan Hajizada, head of the press service department of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs, regarding the position of the spokesperson of the French Ministry for Europe and Foreign Affairs on the travel warning to Azerbaijan.

The commentary noted that presenting judicial proceedings conducted in accordance with Azerbaijani legislation on individual criminal cases based on political considerations, as well as attempts to interfere in the Azerbaijani judicial system, are unacceptable:

"It cannot go unnoticed that France, while making such accusations against Azerbaijan, ignores the existing problems in its own law enforcement and penitentiary systems. At the same time, the French side's activities, such as violations of international law, racism, discrimination, and restriction of human rights, are well known to everyone.

We call on the French side to refrain from groundless and biased allegations against Azerbaijan, to respect our country's sovereignty and internal affairs, and to end approaches that damage bilateral relations."