Russian news agency blocked in Azerbaijan

By Ruslan Rehimov

BAKU, Azerbaijan (AA) – Russia's RIA Novosti news agency has been blocked in Azerbaijan over the publication of "separatist tendencies," the Digital Development and Transport Ministry said on Saturday.

Access to the RIA Novosti agency was blocked due to its publication of "separatist tendencies" against the territorial integrity of Azerbaijan, the ministry said in a statement.

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry also released a statement, saying that media coverage by the agency does not correspond to the spirit of friendly relations between Azerbaijan and Russia.

The move came after the news agency published an interview with Artak Beglaryan, one of the separatist leaders in Karabakh, using the term "Nagorno-Karabakh Republic" and calling Artak Beglaryan "Minister of State."