Turkish columnist Celal Çiftçi, against whom the Prosecutor General's Office of the Republic of Azerbaijan has initiated a criminal case, has issued an apology, Çiftçi shared it on his X (formerly Twitter) account, APA reports.
"I regret the hurt and sadness caused by my statements in brotherly Azerbaijan. I sincerely apologize to the state and people of Azerbaijan for the expressions I used, and I ask that my apology be accepted," Çiftçi wrote.
He stated that his intention, as a journalist, was to express his sensitivity regarding the issue of the hijab, as well as his views on freedom of religion and conscience.
"However, I should have more carefully evaluated the potential consequences of the language I used to convey my thoughts, and I should have expressed my views more clearly. I had no intention of interfering in Azerbaijan's internal affairs, inciting the public against the state, creating unrest in the country, or calling for the seizure of power or the forcible alteration of the constitutional order. Furthermore, I reject the notion of promoting religious hatred, hostility, or discrimination. I deny the accusations brought forward in this regard," Çiftçi added.
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