IRANIAN AUTHORITIES SUPPORT ANTI-TURKISH STATEMENTS OF LOCAL ARMENIANS, AZERI POLITICAL SCIENTIST CONSIDERS

Leader of the National Renaissance Movement of South Azerbaijan (northern Iran) Mahmudali Chehreghanli has made Iranian authorities responsible for the clashes between Armenians and Azeris in Teheran April 24. As reported by Turan news agency, in his statement he said those clashes were “an outcome of joint provocation of the special services of Armenia and Iran.” In his opinion, “the Iranian authorities sanctioned the meetings on the Armenian Genocide because of the hatred towards the Turks.” At that the country authorities ignored the sentiments of their own citizens of Turkish origin, Chehreghanli considers. In his words, the authorities used the situation to repress activists of the Azeri national movement. Chehreghanli addressed all states and international structures, calling to put pressure upon official Teheran to release the 50 activists of the National Renaissance Movement of South Azerbaijan, detained in Iran.