European Broadcasting Union may disqualify Armenia from Eurovision
By Rashid Shirinov
The European Broadcasting Union (EBU) has condemned the provocation by the Armenian singer, who was waving a prohibited flag of the separatist “Nagorno Karabakh Republic” during the first semifinal.
The EBU monitoring group said to APA that the rules’ violation may result in the removal of Armenia from participation this year and lead to other supplementary measures.
The EBU noted that such actions really have a negative impact on the image of Eurovision Song Contest. Referring to the rules, the monitoring group came to conclusion to apply sanctions in relation to AMPTV, which possesses the right of broadcasting the contest to Armenia. The result of sanction will be determined at the June meeting of the group.
The Armenian participant Iveta Mukuchyan brought the prohibited flag of separatist "NKR" in the hall during the first semifinal on May 10. Her provocative intentions were prevented by the organizers who took the flag away.
Meanwhile, the Azerbaijani community expressed its dissatisfaction with the incident. The Foreign Ministry called the step of Armenia provocative and noted that the issue will be investigated. “These steps contradict the fundamental principles of Eurovision,” spokesman for the ministry Hikmet Hajiyev said.
Furthermore, Azerbaijan's public television ITV, authorized in broadcasting the content in Azerbaijan, has appealed to the European Broadcasting Union and the leadership of the song contest.
Jamil Guliyev, the head of İTV, said that the Armenian singer should be disqualified from the contest.
Anti Avsan, Chairman of the Legal Committee of Swedish Parliament (Riksdag) and head of the Swedish delegation to the Inter-parliamentary Union, protested to the provocative fact. He noted that waving this flag at the prestigious music competition is a severe violation of procedures. Recalling that Eurovision is a song contest, Avsan added that the steps that could incite ethnic hatred contradict the main purposes of the event.
“Of course, the responsibility falls on those who are running the contest. We just host this event. In all cases, we condemn this act and call it a big mistake,” Avsan concluded.
He expressed his awareness of the problem Azerbaijanis faced, and oversees the processes. Anti Avsan urged international organizations to study this issue.
---
Follow us on Twitter @AzerNewsAz