“Deserter diplomat” to run for presidency in Azerbaijan

Former head of the mission of the Organization for Islamic Cooperation to the EU Arif Mammadov is going to run for presidency in Azerbaijan.

Haqqin.az quotes him as saying in Facebook that he is going to develop a 10-year national program to bring his country out of crisis. “I want my people to live not worse than the Belgians, Norwegians, Frenchmen and Germans live,” Mammadov says.

Mammadov does not need a party for this purpose but just a think-tank of 10-20 people, who would help him to draft the program. He urges all Azerbaijanis - no matter where they live -to help him to draft the program. He would also welcome support from foreign experts.

Earlier, the reportedly pro-governmental Haqqin.az called Mammadov a traitor for his criticism of the Azerbaijani authorities. After the tragic fire in Baku on May 19, Mammadov said in social networks that no single nation would bear so much shame and injustice. “Some of our government officials are earning millions from the sufferings of our people,” Mammadov said.

Azerbaijan’s Foreign Ministry reacted by urging the OIC to dismiss Mammadov. The ruling New Azerbaijan Party qualified his statement as anti-governmental. The party’s deputy secretary Siyavush Novruzov called Mammadov a deserter.

Meanwhile, the opposition called Mammadov’s words as normal a reaction by an Azerbaijani intellectual to a shocking event.