By Diyar Guldogan
WASHINGTON (AA) - Azerbaijan's Embassy in the US on Friday rejected allegations related to a security incident outside a hotel in Washington during President Ilham Aliyev’s visit this week.
The embassy said in a statement that a group of protesters had gathered outside the Waldorf Astoria Hotel on Thursday while Aliyev was in Washington, DC to attend the inaugural meeting of the Board of Peace.
"When the Presidential motorcade approached the hotel area, the protestors violently attempted to enter the protected area and took offensive actions against the Presidential vehicle. This group also used indecent expressions against the leadership of Azerbaijan,” said the statement.
“The Presidential Security Service had no choice but to immediately intervene,” the embassy said, arguing that any effort to obstruct or physically interfere with a protected vehicle carrying a head of state constitutes a "serious security concern."
The embassy added that the response was “aimed solely at ensuring the safety and security” of the visiting delegation.
It also cited a public statement by the US Secret Service indicating that the hotel and surrounding area were within the official security perimeter during the visit.
"Therefore, we resolutely reject any attempt to mischaracterize and disseminate allegations on the security measures taken in response to actions targeting a country’s leader and a protected motorcade," it said.
Azerbaijan’s diplomatic mission stressed that its security personnel operate “in strict coordination with the host country” during official visits and urged responsible reporting, cautioning against conclusions based on unverified claims.