The US ambassador to the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), James Gilmore also criticized Azerbaijan’s human rights situation. “Azerbaijani authorities have detained journalists, opposition figures, and activists, including those critical of the government’s response to Covid-19, and have passed concerning legislative amendments on disinformation.  Azerbaijani authorities also have sought to intimidate and punish individuals who seek greater transparency from the government or simply exercise their right to freedom of expression,” he said.

The Azerbaijani government has consistently negated that political prosecutions are taking place in the county during the pandemic, saying that the opposition uses the situation to stage political provocations during the special quarantine regime (Caucasus Watch reported).