'Azerbaijan' and 'headscarf' crisis in AKP: Binali Yıldırım stepped in and said 'we will punish in the most severe way'

Former Prime Minister and Presidential High Advisory Board Member Binali Yıldırım was also involved in the discussions that started on the Ankara-Baku line over allegations that headscarved students were not admitted to schools in Azerbaijan.

In his interview with Azeri journalist Ali Valiyev, Binali Yıldırım, Chairman of the Council of Aksakals of the Organization of Turkish States, stated that "Mutual respect is essential in the relations between the two countries, emphasizing that Azerbaijan's sovereignty and internal affairs should be respected." Yıldırım stated that they will not accept other countries trying to intervene in Azerbaijan's internal affairs.

"WE WILL PUNISH THEM IN THE MOST VIOLENT MANNER, WHO'S RESPONSIBLE"

During the interview, Yıldırım made the following statements regarding the intervention attempts in Azerbaijan's internal affairs:

"Who has the right to interfere in the internal affairs of Azerbaijan? We will never accept such a thing. We will punish those who attempt or resort to this in the most severe way."

Pointing out that Azerbaijan is an independent state, Yıldırım said, "Azerbaijan is a separate state. It makes its own decisions. Our duty is to show the necessary respect to those decisions."

WHAT HAPPENED?

Oktay Saral, one of the chief advisors of AKP President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, reacted on his social media account to the 'headscarf' practice in Azerbaijan and used the following statements:

"It is unacceptable to deny the right to education of headscarved students in Azerbaijan! What kind of conscience and what justice would it be to leave a student who covers her head at the school gate because of her belief? Headscarf is not an obstacle, it is a requirement of faith! The right to education cannot be sacrificed to any ideological imposition! We expect Azerbaijan to return from this mistake as soon as possible. It is necessary to pave the way for young people, not to hinder their future. Such an understanding should never be allowed in this age!"