Rubinyan Demands Explanation from Azerbaijani Officials for Calling Armenians a 'Cancerous Tumor' During PACE Session

Rubén Rubinyan, during the PACE session discussing the provision of free and safe movement through the Lachin corridor, demanded an explanation from Azerbaijani officials for referring to Armenians as a "cancerous tumor."

He also stated that Artsakh has been under complete blockade for the past week. "It is absurd, isn’t it, that a report on free and safe access through the Lachin corridor has not been provided. And this is really not a coincidence; for months, the population of Nagorno-Karabakh has been under blockade. And for a week now, they have been under complete blockade, as any humanitarian aid, essential goods, and medical supplies could previously be sent through the Red Cross, but now that is absolutely impossible. Furthermore, two hours ago, when we were discussing addendums in committee, Azerbaijan was specifically placing barriers at the entrance to the Lachin corridor, which is now physically and permanently closed. Of course, our Azerbaijani counterparts are preparing to deny all of this again. We have already gotten used to that, but I am very glad that finally the Council of Europe and the Parliamentary Assembly have been able to differentiate the situation on the ground," said Rubinyan, thanking Paul Gavan for his remarks.

Rubinyan stated that it is not difficult to understand why all this is happening, as Azerbaijani authorities cut off gas and electricity to a group of people while simultaneously calling them a "cancerous tumor" of Europe. "Today, Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry representative Mr. Seyidov is here with us; let’s hear from him why he calls us a 'cancerous tumor' of Europe," he added.