Baku: Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Tuesday accused the European Parliament of being a "nest of corrupt figures" during a meeting with participants of international conferences held in Baku. He claimed that Azerbaijan has faced a continuing smear campaign from Western media, which he said has maligned and tarnished the country's reputation throughout Armenia's 30-year occupation of the Karabakh region.

According to Anadolu Agency, Aliyev asserted that while Armenia has not faced sanctions from the Council of Europe, Azerbaijan was sanctioned after liberating its territories in September 2023. He emphasized that the European Parliament's actions reveal its true face, reiterating his accusation of corruption within the institution.

Aliyev further alleged that "millions of dollars in suitcases" were discovered in the home of the European Parliament's vice-president, a "female deputy from Greece," and criticized the lack of action taken against her, noting that she was later released. He described the European Parliament as being composed of Islamophobes and accused it of waging an "undeclared war" against Islam and the Islamic world.

The Azerbaijani president called for unity against efforts to discredit the Muslim world, which he claimed includes equating Islam with terrorism and committing acts against the Quran. He urged that the need for unity is not just a slogan but a response to the challenges Azerbaijan has faced, both territorially and politically, as one of the few Muslim countries in European organizations.

Aliyev emphasized that Azerbaijan will continue to protect its national dignity and way of life, rejecting foreign influences that are contrary to its values. He affirmed the country's commitment to maintaining its cultural and moral integrity amidst ongoing challenges.