Azerbaijani MFA rejects CNN allegations, demands retraction

Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has categorically rejected allegations published on CNN World’s website on June 5 claiming that Azerbaijani territory was allegedly used for military or intelligence operations against Iran.

The statement was issued by Aykhan Hajizada, spokesperson for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan.

According to the ministry, claims that Israeli forces were allegedly deployed on Azerbaijani territory are entirely baseless. The Azerbaijani side noted that such allegations have been repeatedly denied, and that Baku’s official position had been conveyed to CNN in response to its inquiry before the article was published.

The ministry said that publishing allegations based on anonymous sources, without presenting credible evidence and while disregarding Azerbaijan’s official position, contradicts the principles of objectivity, impartiality and professional journalistic ethics.

The statement stressed that Azerbaijan has never allowed, and will never allow, its territory to be used by any third country for military operations, intelligence activities or other hostile purposes against another state.

“Azerbaijan remains committed to promoting peace, stability and good-neighborly relations in the region. Such groundless allegations, unsupported by any evidence, constitute yet another attempt at disinformation,” the commentary said.

The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry also stated that it expects CNN to refute the article containing unfounded allegations.