Russian journalist denied entry to Azerbaijan because of Armenian last name
Russian journalist Anna Sahakyan, Russian by nationality, was denied entry to Baku because of her husband’s Armenian last name. Anna has never been to Artsakh and is not included in the “blacklist” of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Azerbaijan.
Analytical portal “Voskanapat.info” reports that Anna left a post about the incident on her Facebook page: “Do you know why I am ashamed? I explained to those people that I am Russian by birth. I am proud of my last name, I changed it once for love, and if I have to change it once more, I would do it for a really big love. Yes, I regret that I got angry and burst into tears instead of telling them this and flying back proudly. To be honest, the reason was my tiredness. I won’t become a nationalist and despise Azerbaijan, but, come on, people, isn’t it clear that we are all equal in front of God, and we won’t be happy until we forgive each other?”
Anna notes that with a half-Armenian son and past romances with men of other nationalities she is not Russian anymore. She now knows what people feel when they are oppressed because of their nationality.
“It is possible that due to the theory of five handshakes my humble words will reach Ilham Aliyev, whose portrait hangs in the airport named after his father, more specifically in the cabinet of the head of Customs office, who politely offered me tea, but never granted entry and suggested I change my last name and fly back again,” writes Anna Sahakyan and highlights that some people think the situation is caused by Putin’s visit.
“But Mr. Aliyev, be a man now and make a revolution in relations with the Armenian nation. And do you know what the funniest thing is? I really wanted to see Baku and walk in the streets of the old city; instead I saw a piece of the sea from the plane. And if there are Azerbaijani people among my friends, I really hope, that you are also ashamed,” notes Anna Sahakyan.