In response to the allegations in the Armenian media claiming that AZERTAC allegedly distorted quotes and published statements that had not been made by University of Utah scientists, we state that the mentioned information was prepared based on the press release issued by the University of Utah, and the Agency did not participate in the event in question.

The original of the press release related to the mentioned report is still available to AZERTAC (photos are attached). In addition, it clear from the press release that the author of the report is Ewa Wasilewska and the editor is M. Yavuz (photo is attached). Therefore, we recommend that the Armenian journalist, who claims to be an investigator, should first learn to work with the facts correctly before making accusations of this nature.

It is noted that the two professors who participated in the event mentioned that the quotes they did not made had allegedly been reported. The Armenian press allegedly even interviewed them. We note that after Professor Steven Lobell, who participated in the event, addressed AZERTAC regarding his quote, his statements were removed from the report. However, the Agency did not receive any requests from another Professor Marjorie Castle, who was mentioned in the Armenian press.

In addition, the Armenian press claims to have allegedly tried to get a statement from AZERTAC regarding the issue. However, we state that the Agency did not receive any requests from the said media outlet, and the article was published unilaterally.

We reiterate that AZERTAC published this information based on the press release from the University of Utah, and none of the Agency's correspondents participated in that event. For this reason, we categorically reject the claim that the mentioned quotes were made up by AZERTAC and consider it as an attempt to damage the Agency's reputation.