Iran's temporary restoration of visa regime creates problems for Azerbaijani citizens

Temporary restoration of Iran's visa regime to enter the country has created serious problems for the citizens of Azerbaijan, who planned to travel to the Islamic Republic of Iran. Azerbaijani citizens, who go to Iran for medical treatment, and residents of the Nakhichevan Autonomous Republic (NAR), who go to that region by bus by transit through Iranian territory, form long lines at the Embassy.

For the period of August 5-31, Iran restored visa regime to enter the country in connection with the summit of the member states of the "Non-Aligned Movement", to be held on August 26.

People, waiting in front of the Embassy, complain about the mess in the line organization, which forms to supply documents to the Consular Department of the Iranian Embassy. Starting from August 5, Azerbaijani citizens, who to write themselves to the line, are given number plates. Meanwhile, that number plates do not guarantee compliance with the line or the timely entering to the Consular Department. People from the line explain that by the fact that policemen admit persons of "acquaintance" from their list.

"Yet on August 10, we should have visited a doctor in Iran. We come here every day, and they tell us to come in a week. What is the sense to come in a week? Those people without papers go through back doors," said Bella Gashimova, a Baku resident.

Zarifa Ordukhanova, a Baku resident, cannot enter the Consular Department for the third day. The woman said that she had an urgent need to go to Iran in connection with the disease of her sister, who is at the resuscitation ward. "I myself also have a swelling on my neck, and I should see a doctor. Why do they not let me enter?" Zarifa Ordukhanova asked.

Sanan Karimov, a Baku resident, complains about the turmoil in the line. "My relative suffers from cancer, and the doctor says that we cannot wait till September. Our number is 402^nd. While the 500^th number has passed, we are still on the street," Sanan Karimov said.

"Here, everything complies with the law. Yesterday, we entered the line and passed. The confusion arises because of those people, who do not know that should be written in the line," said Nisya Panakhova, a Baku resident, at the exit of the building of the Embassy after submitting her documents.

Police officers refused to comment on the situation. Moreover, they demanded that journalists should not film them on camera.