The Ombudsman of Azerbaijan met with journalists conducting independent investigations

The Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of Azerbaijan, Ms. Sabina Aliyeva met with world-famous photojournalist Reza Deghati, well-known Lithuanian military journalist Ri?ardas Lapaitis, members of his film crew Ar?nas Sartanavi?ius and Mantas Bartáševi?ius, as well as Gunar Aliyev, a member of the Journalists' Union.

During the meeting, the Ombudsman stressed the special role of the media, including journalists, especially military journalists, to provide the world community with full, objective and impartial information about the war crimes committed by the Armenian armed forces against the Azerbaijanis during the First Karabakh War and in the post-war period, the aggression against our country and the grave consequences of the policy of aggression and ethnic cleansing against civil population.

Sabina Aliyeva said that the journalistic profession is both responsible and honorable, noting that, despite threats and intimidation, they always stood on the side of the truth, took a neutral position and filmed the horrors of war to make them recognized at the international level, which requires courage and fearlessness.

She informed the guests that the victory of the brave Azerbaijani Army under the leadership of the country President, Commander-in-Chief Mr. Ilham Aliyev during the Second Karabakh War has become a symbol of the establishment of historical justice, also that there are casualties among the civilian population as a result of the shooting of residential buildings and other civilian social infrastructure with prohibited weapons, targeting the civilian population by Armenia, which lost in the arena of war, and this constitutes a war crime.

Reza Deghati spoke about the history of footage taken during the First Karabakh War, the destruction of civil and religious facilities during the filming in the territories liberated as a result of the 44-day of war, and the photos and videos he sent to the world community. He said it was expedient to cooperate with the Ombudsman Institute to spread the truth about Azerbaijan.

Ri?ardas Lapaitis shared his memories of the First Karabakh War, as well as projects involving witnesses to the war.

Gunar Aliyev shared his views on the importance of disseminating information about war crimes against the Azerbaijanis to the world through the media, covering the true position of our people.

At the end of the meeting, the Ombudsman discussed prospects for cooperation with independent investigative journalists, including military journalists and photojournalists.

In the end, the guests were awarded Certificates of Honor.