ArmInfo.Belarus's decision on extradition of blog writer Alexander Lapshin for the latter's visit to Karabakh is a violation of his freedom of speech, Armenian Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan says in a statement.
Tatoyan notes that the unprecedented "greeting" of Lapshin in Azerbaijan with escort guard and handcuffs is a violation of human rights. He thinks that the arrest and extradition of Lapshin cannot influence the work of foreign journalists and human rights activists in Karabakh. "The efforts towards stimulation of visits of foreign journalists and international human rights activists to Artsakh, as well as the cooperation of Artsakh institutions with foreign structures should be crucial in the activities of each of us, and there is no alternative to this," the Ombudsman's statement reads.
To recall, Alexander Lapshin was detained in mid-December in Minsk upon Azerbaijan's request. Baku "blacklisted" Lapshin for visiting the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic without coordinating his decision with the Azeri authorities. On January 17, the Prosecutor General's Office of Belarus satisfied Azerbaijan's request about Lapshin's extradition.
Russian Commissioner for Human Rights Tatyana Moskalkova thinks it is unacceptable to extradite Russian blog writer, independent journalist Alexander Lapshin to Azerbaijan. "According to Article 31.1 of the Russian Constitution, a citizen of the Russian Federation cannot be extradited to another state. The Russian Foreign Ministry and other departments support my stand. At the same time, I would like to remind the Russian citizens going abroad of the necessity to study and observe the legislation of foreign states," Moskalkova said.
On Feb 3, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said at a press conference in Minsk that he considered the Court's decision to be absolutely legitimate. "Azerbaijan applied to Interpol, not to us. According to Interpol's decision, we detained him and should transfer him to Azerbaijan according to the order and to all laws. We could set him free, but it would be wrong, because we will be treated the same way if we apply for the relevant structures to detain someone," he said.