MFA: Armenia should bring Azerbaijani flag arsonist to justice

The Azerbaijani flag was defiantly burned at the opening ceremony of the 2023 European Weightlifting Championships in Armenia’s capital Yerevan on April 14.

“We condemn this act, which is an example of the deep-rooted hatred towards Azerbaijan on ethnic grounds in Armenia,” Caliber.Az reports citing the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry’s statement.

“The Armenian government, organising the event, had to prevent such incidents in a timely manner and take appropriate security measures. Although the perpetrator was initially detained, his further release amid ovation is of great concern. The Armenian side must immediately bring the person who committed this crime based on hatred to justice.

We call on the International Weightlifting Federation, the International Olympic Committee and other relevant international organisations to condemn this act, which is a gross violation of the rules of holding sports competitions, and take actions against the organisers,” the statement says.