Baku (The Times Groupe)- Azerbaijan on Saturday dismissed Russian claims of foreign-funded biological research laboratories.
State Security Service of Azerbaijan says in a statement that unsubstantiated allegations are causing concern among the public.
“We note that such centers have never operated in Azerbaijan, (and) no research has been conducted that could harm the health of the population or citizens of the neighboring states,” it stated.
“It is regrettable that the information contained in it was declared at international events, including by such an authoritative organization as the UN, without asking the position of the Azerbaijani side.”
In Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, and Azerbaijan – all former Soviet republics – there are biological research laboratories with US financial support, according to Russian officials. In launching its war on Ukraine on Feb. 24, Moscow cited the claims.
US officials responded to Russian claims that their labs were intended to develop biological weapons, saying on the contrary, they were established to stop the spread of bioweapons.