BAKU — The Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced that members of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) who voted against the Azerbaijani delegation, including Frank Schwabe, have been added to the country’s list of “personae non gratae.”

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, head of the Press Service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, criticisms made by Frank Schwabe, a figure allegedly involved in several corruption cases and murky business relations, reflect a biased and hypocritical view of Azerbaijan. “Thoughts sounded by Frank Schwabe about Azerbaijan and country leadership show how biased, fake, and hypocritical a politician this person is,” said Hajizadeh. The ministry accuses Schwabe and like-minded individuals of opposing Azerbaijan’s political and economic progress and its efforts towards liberating territories occupied for nearly 30 years.

The ministry also noted that PACE observers were not invited to monitor the recent parliamentary elections in Azerbaijan because the Azerbaijani delegation’s mandate has yet to be restored, despite previous political assurances from various officials, including those from Germany. The ministry highlighted that Schwabe’s criticisms, particularly regarding Azerbaijan’s relations with Russia, ignore his own country’s dealings with Russian entities.

Furthermore, the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry warned that any PACE members who voted against its delegation and attempt to enter Azerbaijan for events such as COP29 will be denied entry until the delegation’s mandate is restored. This decision underscores the ongoing tensions between Azerbaijan and certain international bodies regarding the recognition and criticism of its political actions.