EUROVISION TO IMPOSE SANCTIONS ON AZERBAIJAN

Information-Analytic Agency NEWS.am
Sept 14 2009
Armenia

Eurovision contest organizers completed the investigation on summoning
Azerbaijani citizens voted for Armenian contestants at Eurovision-2009,
RFE/RL’s reports. The decision on sanctions against Azerbaijan will
be made shortly.

Svante Stockselius, the Executive Director of Eurovision Contest stated
that Eurovision’s Reference Group, consisting of eight members met
in Oslo to reach a verdict regarding Azerbaijan. It will be further
submitted to European Broadcasting Union’s Television Committee,
that plans to announce its decision on Azerbaijan within the next
few days. Stockselius said Azerbaijan could be dismissed of charges
or could be accused of violating Eurovision rules and either fined
or banned from participating in the contest for up to three years.

The working group comprises representatives from Russia, Serbia and
Norway-the last three Eurovision winners as well as Spain, Holland,
Ireland and two representatives of Sweden.

As NEWS.am reported earlier, that Ministry of National Security of
Azerbaijan (MNS) detected Azerbaijani citizen Rovshan Nasirli who
voted for Armenia at Eurovision-2009. 43 Azerbaijani citizens voted
for Arshakyan sisters (Armenian contestants). MNS had a short talk of
their ‘political correctness’, ‘ethics’ and other paramount issues
Azerbaijani should not neglect. Nasirli said there was a list of
those voted for Arshakyan sisters.