Armenian activist seeks political asylum in Azerbaijan

Armenian civil activist and blogger Ishkhan Verdyan has formally requested political asylum in Azerbaijan, citing fears of imprisonment in his home country over his public recognition of Karabakh as part of Azerbaijan.

Verdyan made the appeal via his Telegram channel, addressing Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev directly, Caliber.Az reports.

"Mr President, I wish to inform you that criminal charges have been brought against me in Armenia for publicly acknowledging Karabakh as Azerbaijani territory," Verdyan stated.

He went on to claim that the Armenian authorities were seeking to imprison him for life due to his support for mutual recognition of Azerbaijani and Armenian sovereignty, as well as his outspoken criticism of the self-proclaimed entity known as "Artsakh".

"My return to Armenia would inevitably lead to my arrest," he warned, adding that an international warrant issued against him meant he had "nowhere to go except an Armenian prison".

Verdyan pleaded with President Aliyev to grant him asylum, arguing that returning to Armenia would expose him to "certain persecution".

"In light of these circumstances, and given the impossibility of returning to my country of citizenship without facing imminent retribution, I respectfully request political asylum in Azerbaijan," he wrote.

As a reminder, Ishkhan Verdyan is an Armenian activist, blogger, and political commentator known for his outspoken views on Armenia’s geopolitical positioning and relations with neighbouring countries. He has been an advocate for peace and normalisation of ties with Azerbaijan and Türkiye, often criticising Armenia’s historical foreign policy decisions and external influences, particularly from Russia.

Verdyan has controversially argued that Armenia should reassess its alliances and consider steps such as extraditing former officials to Azerbaijan to facilitate regional stability. His views have led to accusations of espionage by Armenian authorities in 2022, a charge he has denied.

Despite facing threats and opposition, Verdyan continues to engage in discussions about Armenia’s sovereignty and future, often challenging mainstream nationalist narratives.

Moreover, Verdyan shared his desire to visit Baku on Facebook, expressing a wish to explore the city's landmarks, including the Boulevard, Maiden Tower, and Icheri Sheher. He also hopes to visit Martyrs’ Alley and the Armenian church in city center.

Verdyan looks forward to experiencing Azerbaijani music, cuisine, and comparing it with Armenian dishes. 

By Aghakazim Guliyev