The statement of the Ministry of Europe and Foreign Affairs of France about the “discrimination” against the French citizen Theo Clerc and the so-called “unfair decision” by the court about him, and disregard of Azerbaijan’s judicial procedures by France as a country presenting itself as a “state based on the rule of law,” is unacceptable and the remarks made by France have no ground, AzVision.az reports citing a statement by Azerbaijan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
According to the statement, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry asserts that the court’s verdict against Clerc, and other persons who intentionally damage the state property is within the court's jurisdiction, and the French side has no right to question this decision.
The statement clarified that the French citizen was deprived of liberty under the article of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan for intentionally destroying or damaging the property. It was noted that Clerc had previously faced penalties in France for similar offenses, including a fine.
The investigation and court proceedings revealed that the French citizen was especially active in the commission of the crime and took special initiative in this direction. It was also revealed that his statements during the court investigation did not correspond to the objective circumstances of the case.
While Clerc had been fined for similar actions in France, the Ministry emphasized that his insincere statements to the court regarding his ignorance of the illegality of acts of this nature in the Republic of Azerbaijan, including his lack of remorse for the act he committed, should be listed as the factors determining his punishment to be more severe than the other two defendants.
The Ministry’s statement also criticized France for its international law violations and its history of neo-colonialism, racism, discrimination, Islamophobia, and human rights restrictions.
"France, which raises claims about judicial authority and human rights in Azerbaijan and attempts to teach the world a “lesson of democracy.” Therefore, it would be more beneficial for France to learn from such actions.," the statement concluded.
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