He was arrested and taken to the police station, from where he was soon released. At this point it is not known what charges were brought against him or even whether they were brought. Locals who gathered in front of the police station greeted him with applause.
The Azerbaijani national team failed to fly to Baku last night. Tickets for the Yerevan-Antalya flight were purchased for twelve members of the Azerbaijani delegation, but Armenia did not let the team out of the hotel, citing security concerns.
Official statements about the incident were made by the National Olympic Committee and the Ministry of Youth Sports of Azerbaijan, and Armenia’s Foreign Ministry.
“Along with the fact that the commission of such a barbaric act at a ceremony in which the Prime Minister of Armenia took part, and accompanied by the applause of the Armenian public, presenting the perpetrator of this act as a hero, is a vivid example of ethnic hatred, racism, xenophobia, Azerbaijani phobia in this country, it is also completely contrary to the noble goal and principles of sports that promote peace and understanding between peoples. The politicization of sports is categorically unacceptable,” the NOC and the Ministry of Youth and Sports of Azerbaijan said in a joint statement.
“In conditions when such an atmosphere of hatred reigns in Armenia, security is not ensured, the normal participation of Azerbaijani athletes in competitions is impossible due to psychological pressure. Considering all this, it was decided to return the Azerbaijani athletes to their homeland. Armenia must ensure their safe return.
We call on the international community, international sports organizations to strongly condemn this barbaric act. We also call on the European Weightlifting Federation to impose sanctions against Armenia,” the document says.
According to the Minister of Sports and Youth of Azerbaijan, Farid Gayibov, during the opening ceremony of the 2023 European Weightlifting Championships in Yerevan, “a barbaric act took place.”
“This is deeply unacceptable and shows that Armenia is not ready to host such events. Since Yerevan cannot guarantee the safety of our athletes, the Azerbaijani delegation will not participate in the competition and is expected to return home.
Armenia must ensure the safe return of our athletes, but now they are locked in their hotel without access to the media. We call on the international community and international sports organizations to strongly condemn this barbaric act,” the minister said.
“We strongly condemn this act, which is an example of the ethnic hatred towards Azerbaijan that is rooted in Armenia,” the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.
“The Armenian government, as the party organizing the event, had to prevent such incidents in a timely manner and take appropriate security measures. Although the perpetrator was initially detained, his subsequent release to a standing ovation is of great concern. The Armenian side must immediately bring to justice the person who committed this hate crime.
We call on the International Weightlifting Federation, the International Olympic Committee and other relevant international organizations to categorically condemn this act, which is a gross violation of the rules of conduct at sports competitions, and take action against the organizers,” the Foreign Ministry concluded.
“Burning the flag of any country is the most stupid and senseless political act.
Aram Nikolyan, who burned the flag of Azerbaijan, is a wealthy and privileged designer in Armenia. Sitting in his comfort zone, turned into a hero in minutes by committing an act of hatred.
He did not serve in the war, and if there is another war, he probably will not serve there either.
The political will of all reasonable people should be to disenfranchise those who sit in their comfort zone and sow hatred, they should feel that they can become the next victims.
Only in an environment where there are no privileged people, where people are equal before the fear of losing their lives, can one hope for peace and justice.”
“The most depressing thing about what happened is that the person who burned the flag of Azerbaijan is the owner of one of the most famous local Armenian brands, Nikolyan.
If you look for an analogy with this in Azerbaijan, then imagine that the owner of the company Emiland [a well-known Azerbaijani clothing brand – JAMnews] burns a flag in some opening ceremony.
This is unthinkable for us. No entrepreneur would allow himself this, would not do this at an international event.
This is the whole absurdity of what happened.”
“I think the decision to send the athletes home is wrong. An act of hatred by some idiot or provocateur should not have caused a big scandal. In such cases, one should not follow the lead of the hate-spewing crowd, one must oppose those who do not want peace.
The issue must be resolved at the international level, through diplomatic channels …
There is no alternative to peace for our region.”