‘Truly sad’, French envoy on Azerbaijan suspending local BBC operations

French Ambassador to Azerbaijan Anne Boillon has expressed regret over Baku’s decision to suspend the BBC Azerbaijani operations.

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry on Thursday ordered the suspension of BBC News' Azerbaijani service, which operated in the country since 1994.

“The BBC's provision of services in Azerbaijani [language] was a sign of respect and interest in the Azerbaijani people and culture. This is truly sad. France knows what it owes the BBC,” French Ambassador to Azerbaijan Anne Boillon said in a post on X, commenting on the suspension.

The BBC said in a statement on Thursday that it had made the "reluctant decision" to close its office in the country after receiving a verbal instruction from the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

The corporation added that it "deeply" regrets "this restrictive move against press freedom".