Baku: Posts circulating on social media claiming that heavy weapons belonging to the Azerbaijani Army have been deployed along the state border between the Republic of Azerbaijan and the Islamic Republic of Iran are deliberately distorted information manipulation, the Media Development Agency said in a statement, APA reports.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the footage, which reflects the relocation of military equipment in January this year, is being presented with misleading wording as a new 'fact' in order to confuse public opinion. The Media Development Agency strongly condemned such information provocations aimed at creating panic by manipulating information during the ongoing military operations in the Middle East.

The agency reminded that disseminating information about the movement or deployment of personnel of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan, as well as military weapons, ammunition, or equipment, entails criminal liability. It emphasized that against the backdrop of tensions in the region, the spread of inaccurate and unverified information on social media increases the risk of disinformation and is aimed at creating confusion in society.

The Media Development Agency called on media entities to demonstrate high professionalism in their approach to information circulating on social networks. It urged them to rely only on official sources and avoid spreading content of dubious origin or manipulative nature.