The arrest and extradition of Alexander Lapshin cannot have any significance for the further activities of journalists and human rights defenders in Artsakh. Such activities have been considered and will always be considered legitimate: this is the principle.
The extradition of Alexander Lapshin is manifestly linked with the violation of the freedom of expression. The fact that the handcuffed journalist was accompanied by masked law enforcement bodies, immediately after being put under the Azerbaijan’s control, as well as the broad coverage of this event attested to the obvious features of unacceptable attitude towards him.
Promotion of the visits of the journalists and human rights defenders to Artsakh, as well as the contribution of the engagement of Artsakh’s democratic institutions in international meetings should be one of the priorities of everyone’s work. There are no alternatives to fundamental actions in this direction.