Azerbaijan declares 31 Turkish citizens persona non grata

Azerbaijan's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has announced that 31 Turkish citizens have been declared "persona non grata" in accordance with the country's legislation and banned from entering Azerbaijan.

According to the ministry, the decision was made in view of statements disseminated through various social networks and internet platforms. These statements were described as directed against Azerbaijan's sovereignty, national security, constitutional order, people and leadership, as calling for the forcible overthrow of the government, or as seeking to incite violence on religious extremist grounds, as well as promoting religious hatred and hostility.

The list includes journalists, bloggers, politicians and researchers. Among them are Fatih Erbakan, Chairman of the New Welfare Party, Yahya Uğraş, Deputy Chairman of the HÜDA PAR party, and Ömer Faruk Gergerlioğlu, an MP. The ministry said appropriate measures will continue to be taken in response to calls and activities directed against Azerbaijan that promote hostility.