YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 23, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan is crossing the red line by issuing international arrest warrants for European lawmakers for visiting Nagorno Karabakh (NKR), Ombudsman of NKR Ruben Melikyan told ARMENPRESS.

“Azerbaijan continues the course of Lapshin. It sees that the Lapshin case isn’t becoming a precedent at all. If after the Lapshin case 5 people refrain from visiting NKR, then instead 10 people get new motivation to visit NKR. By announcing international arrest warrants for the European lawmakers, Azerbaijan is attempting to revive the Lapshin precedent. Issuing arrest warrants for European lawmakers for visiting NKR, expressing opinion on recognizing the independence of NKR, means to cross the red line”, he said.

Melikyan said the issues which are raised by NKR and Armenia for many years, are actually being confirmed by the Azerbaijani actions. According to him, in reality, the people who live in NKR, people who want to inform the international community about NKR must have the opportunity of free entry and exit, and their rights must be protected.

“It’s not the first time the European lawmakers: Frank Engel, Eleni Theocharous and Jaromír Štětina raise the issue of the rights of the Nagorno Karabakh people. They embody Europeans who haven’t lost their roots, who continue their activities. We are grateful they nevertheless continue their activities aimed at protecting European values from aggressive encroachments, realizing that Azerbaijan might take such illegal measures”, he said.

Azerbaijani media reported the country has issued international arrest warrants for MEPs Frank Engel (Luxembourg), Jaromír Štětina (Czech Republic) and Eleni Theocharous (Cyprus).