THE US REITERATES CALL TO RETURN AZERI SABOTEURS AS A “HUMANITARIAN GESTURE”

14:05, 24 Feb 2015
Siranush Ghazanchyan

The United States reiterates call to release two Azeri nationals
Dilham Askerov and Shahbaz Quliyev, who were convicted last year on
charges that include the murder of a teenager.

“We have previously advocated through Ambassador Warlick and others
the release of these two prisoners to the Government of Azerbaijan,”
Spokesperson for the Department of State Jen Psaki told a daily
briefing.

She reminded that during the recent visit to the region, US Assistant
Secretary of State Victoria Nuland also urged relevant authorities
to return the two prisoners to the Government of Azerbaijan.

“The sides have generally found a way in the past to return prisoners
as a humanitarian gesture, and such humanitarian gestures have been
shown to reduce tensions and build trust between the sides. So that’s
what she was referring to,”

Speaking to Public Radio of Armenia last week, Spokesman for the NKR
President David Babayan ruled out the return of the Azeri nationals.