Friday, May 5 2023 15:25

ArmInfo. A number of non-governmental organizations in Armenia voice support for the  "Charjoum" movement, which is being persecuted by the Azerbaijani embassy in France.

Thus, the statement of the NGOs received by ArmInfo, notes, in part:  "May 11, at 09:30 in the morning, the first court session of the  defamation suit filed against "Charjoum" by the Azerbaijani embassy  in France will be held in the Paris Nanterre court.  The Azerbaijani  embassy accuses "Charjoum" of defamation for making publications on  social networks about people who serve the interests of Aliyev's  dictatorship in France.  The movement is demanded to remove the  publications and be charged with compensation for damages and  expenses in the amount of 16,000 euros.  According to the movement'  press release, the publications of "Charjoum" are based on published,  verifiable sources, with the aim of informing the general public  about Azerbaijani influence networks.  "Charjoum" is a civil  initiative of non-partisan French-Armenian activists, which has been  engaged in raising the issues of Armenia and Artsakh in France for  years, as well as in providing consistent support to people and  communities affected by the Artsakh war since 2020.  By prosecuting  the "Charjoum" and its individual members, Azerbaijan is thus trying  to silence criticism of the Azerbaijani regime and weaken the  influence of the Armenian voice abroad through the French justice  system. With such steps, Azerbaijan is trying to export Aliyev's  anti-Armenian racist policy to Europe through its diplomatic  representation.  We, the undersigned representatives of the civil  society of the Republic of Armenia, assess this as an application of  pressure on the Armenian initiative by the Azerbaijani regime known  for countless violations of freedom of speech and other fundamental  human rights and freedoms.  We condemn this persecution of our  compatriots and support "Charjoum" in their struggle to reveal the  crimes and corruption schemes of the Azerbaijani dictatorship.  All  supporters who share our position can join and sign the statement.

The statement was signed by:  "Transparency International"  anti-corruption center "Helsinki Association" human rights NGO Center  for Human Rights Research Community Cohesion and Support Center NGO  "Pink" human rights NGO Educational Center for Equal Rights NGO  "Asparez" Club of Journalists NGO "EcoLur" information NGO Yerevan  Press Club Helsinki Civic Assembly Vanadzor office Goris Press Club  Peace Dialogue NGO "Free Citizen" KNAK NGO Women's Resource Center  NGO Center of Prospective Development NGO

"Charjoum" official website: www.charjoum.org

As ArmInfo previously reported, the Azerbaijani embassy is trying  through the court to force the Armenian organization to remove  information about Azerbaijani agents of influence in France.