The Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) reported that Turkey sent Syrian mercenaries to help Baku in the war between Armenia and Azerbaijan last year.
The document stated:
“Among allegations made by both sides, backed up by
reputable international NGOs and a wealth of information
available from different sources, there is worrying
evidence of the use by Azerbaijan, with Turkey’s assistance, of Syrian
mercenaries, and the use by Armenia of Armenians from
different countries as foreign fighters.”
The demand for amendment made by the Turkey and Azerbaijan groups was rejected with 68 votes to 28, while 10 delegations abstained. The decision of Azerbaijan to use mercenaries with the help of Turkey was accepted unanimously. As a result of the vote, the PACE endorsed the evidence of the United Nations (UN) Working Group on the Use of Mercenaries, indicating that the manner in which these persons were deployed, transferred and used in and around the conflict zone in Karabakh appeared consistent with the definition of the word mercenary.
The report was overwhelmingly approved despite the objections of the Turkish Group, which includes not only the AK Party deputies but also the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP).
