Moscow terrorist attack renews Azerbaijani government narratives on closed land borders
The terrorist attack on a concert hall in Moscow in late March also resonated in the Azerbaijani public discussions, with widespread government narratives that the country’s land borders remain closed to prevent similar acts of terrorism in Azerbaijan. A ruling party MP Novruzov asserted that “social emergencies” were also platted in Azerbaijan in the wake of the second Karabakh war, but the “law enforcement agencies prevented it under the leadership of the President.” The MP suggested further tightening the anti-terrorism law. Novruzov blamed exile-based anti-government Azerbaijani political activists for supporting terrorism in Azerbaijan. Concerning the closed land borders, the MP contended that those who advocate for opening the borders, including political figures, are “engaged in drug smuggling.” According to critical analysts, however, the statements of ruling party officials are oxymoronic because they imply the government is impotent in stopping drug trafficking or terrorism when the borders are open.
Calls for Ibadoghlu’s release intensify as his health condition enters critical stage
On 25 March, a group of United States senators initiated a resolution calling for the release of Azerbaijani scholar and activist Gubad Ibadoghlu who is spending a ninth month in pre-trial detention. The resolution was referred to the Senate Foreign Relations Committee by leading senators including Thom Tillis, Dick Durbin and Bill Cassidy. Senators noted in the text that “Azerbaijan's ties with the community of democracies have been undermined by a troubling record of wrongfully detaining those involved in human rights, journalism, and peaceful freedom of expression.” Earlier, the “Ibadoghlu resolution” was unveiled in the Congress, drawing sponsorship of 26 Representatives. On 29 March, his brother told the media that Ibadoghlu is at serious risk of losing eyesight due to the aggravation of diabetes and lack of adequate medical intervention. On 30 March, the Chair of the Foreign Relations Committee of the US Senate, Ben Cardin, issued a statement calling for Ibadoghlu’s release, emphasizing his deteriorating health condition.
Baku condemns planned EU-US-Armenia summit in Brussels
A trilateral meeting between Armenian prime minister Pashinyan, EU commissioner Von der Layen and US secretary of state Blinken is set to take place in Brussels on 5 April. USAID chief Power is also expected to attend the meeting. Armenian officials said the meeting is aimed at boosting the country’s development as well as stability. Official Baku reacted furiously to the planned meeting, accusing the EU and the US of bias and double standards. “Against the background of the revanchist mood in Armenia, the open pro-Armenian public manifestation of Washington and Brussels can create a dangerous illusion in this country that the EU and the US will support Armenia in possible provocations by Armenia against Azerbaijan. In this case, the EU and the US will share responsibility for any possible destabilizing action of Armenia,” stated the Azerbaijani MFA. The ministry also expressed concerns over alleged plans of France to supply lethal arms to Armenia. Russian MFA also criticized the scheduled EU-US-Armenia meeting. “Armenia is gradually becoming a tool for the implementation of the extremely dangerous plans of the collective West,” Zakharova said. The EU stated that the meeting will focus on bilateral cooperation with Armenia in the economic aspects. The US also rejected the claims that the meeting is intended to divide the region. In the meantime, the Azerbaijani side continued to demand its four exclave villages currently under Armenian control. Azerbaijani defense ministry on 30 March warned that Armenia is deploying units to the border and this might lead to another military escalation.