Iranian immigrants rally in front of official Tehran Embassy in Azerbaijan

Today, in Baku, the third for the last week protest action in front of the Iranian Embassy in Azerbaijan was held. During the picket, like during recent protest actions, the participants demanded to stop anti-Azerbaijani provocations in the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Embassy responded to the demonstrations, and it stated that the rallies represented part of Western community's policy in the region.

Activists claim to continue their protests until provocations against Azerbaijan in Iran stopped

Today's picket was organized by the local office of the National Independent Party of South Azerbaijan, operating in Canada. The protest action was also attended by Iranian immigrants ethnic Azerbaijanis, living in Europe.

The participants of the picket in Baku has again expressed their indignation about the protest action held in Tabriz on May 8 and about the fact that the Iranian media continue to publish anti-Azerbaijani articles, and on May 18, in Tabriz, new mass rally against the holding of the song contest "Eurovision" in Baku is to be held.

The picketers laid a black wreath at the Embassy building, symbolizing, according to their idea, the imminent collapse of the Tehran regime. The inscription on the wreath stated: "Gift to mullahs."

The resolution of the picket emphasizes that "50 million Azerbaijanis of the world are the guarantors of independence and security of the Republic of Azerbaijan." The activists claimed that they would continue their protest actions until provocations against Azerbaijan in Iran would be stopped.

The police did not interfere with the protest action and even blocked traffic to ensure safety of the protestors.

IRI Embassy in Baku: protest actions represent part of Zionist's and Western community's policy

Today, the Iranian Embassy responded to the protest actions in front of the diplomatic mission. The statement was disseminated prior to the rally beginning. According to the Embassy, the protest actions held on May 11 and 16 were "illegal and were carried out by Zionists and forces to Islam."

"Acts aimed at insulting Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Akper Khamenei, the leader of the Shiites and the Islamic world, wound heart of every free man," said the statement.

It should be note that at the picket held on May 11, a poster, which depicted Khamenei with a naked belly, was raised. The Embassy of Iran "expresses its condolences to all Shiites of the world and treats the incident as the act aimed against the religious values."

Sharply condemning the protest actions held in Baku, the Iranian Embassy also urges the authorities of Azerbaijan to immediately respond to such acts and punish the guilty persons. The Embassy believes that the incident will cause an appropriate response of the Muslims of Azerbaijan. The Embassy is also indignant about lack of response to the incident from the Administration of Muslims of the Caucasus.

Elman Abdulaev: protest actions in Tabriz backed by forces, which try to harm Azerbaijani-Iranian relations

In its turn, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Azerbaijan condemned the protest actions held in Tabriz in front of the Consulate of Azerbaijan. Baku is sure that the protest actions are backed by certain forces, unfriendly to the country, which aim is to harm Azerbaijani-Iranian relations. This was told today by Elman Abdulaev, Spokesman of the MFA of the republic, to journalists.

"Decisions, made by the leaders of the country, serve the interests of the Azerbaijani people. Azerbaijan builds its relations with neighbouring countries, basing on principles of good neighbourliness, and it remains committed to the principle of non-interference in the affairs of other countries, and no one has the right to interfere in the affairs of Azerbaijan," stated Spokesman of the MFA.