The State Security Service of Azerbaijan (SSS) has denied allegations by Russian officials that third party countries are conducting scientific research on biological weapons in Azerbaijan. A statement issued by the State Security Service of Azerbaijan said that such scientific centres have never operated in Azerbaijan, and no research has been conducted that could harm the health of the population or citizens of neighbouring countries. "It is unfortunate that such information is disclosed at international events, including the UN, without studying the position of the Azerbaijani side," the statement said.
According to the document, representatives of the Russian Federation have repeatedly voiced their views on the operation of biological research centres in Azerbaijan, allegedly with the financial support of third countries, as well as in the framework of international events. "These views, put forward without any facts, are met with some concern by the public of our country," the SSS said. The State Security Service of Azerbaijan said it was ready to investigate concrete facts raised by the other side if they were presented.
Security expert Ilham Ismayil said that Russia’s statement is an excuse to intervene in Azerbaijan: “Russia also attacked Ukraine under the pretext of ‘denazification’ and ‘demilitarisation.’ In 2014, his excuse was to ‘ensure the safety of Russian speakers.’ In the autumn of last year, Iran often used the excuse that ‘the Zionist regime is strengthening near the border’ in order to show us [their] military power. Neither Russia nor Iran can show any evidence because there is nothing real. According to the SSS, ‘these views are of some concern to the public.’ It is Russia’s aggression under such pretexts, specifically in Ukraine, that is causing this concern. It is possible that Russia will commit provocations in Baku and [Nagorno]-Karabakh under such pretexts. In this sense, the information released by the SSS was timely. We need to be vigilant,” he concluded
Farhad Mammadov, an Azerbaijani political scientist and expert of the Valdai International Discussion Club also told that these charges are not new. Russia is against countries that have joined the European Union’s Eastern Partnership program. “More accusations were levelled against the operation of biological laboratories in Georgia. They even said the issue was ridiculous in Ukraine that, these laboratories produce viruses that cause epidemics against the Slavs and brought to Russia by pigeons,” the expert said. According to Mammadov, after the start of the war against Ukraine, they are trying to control the domestic audience with such lies and as a result, they entered an irreversible process. “SSS also responded to this, because it is such a chewed-up topic that, it had to be answered, and as a result, such speculations were put to an end. It was delivered to them that, you use a lot of cards in the war in Ukraine, but there is no need to put Azerbaijan there. It doesn’t matter if you put it in, if you take any action, it will not give the expected result” Mammadov said.
