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Azerbaijani journalist at “Tolishi Sado” newspaper Shahin Mirzoev, who received a temporary asylum in Armenia days ago, says Talysh people are facing the same reality and the fate that Karabakh endured while living under the control of Azerbaijan.

Mirzoev who fled from Azerbaijan due to the persecutions against ethnic and religious minorities spoke at the international conference entitled “Breaking the Siege of Stepanakert: 25 years later” underway in Yerevan.

The journalist informed that Talysh people have no access to any TV and radio in Azerbaijan and are virtually unable to voice the pressing issues they face in their life in Azerbaijan.

“Those who dare to speak out are either imprisoned or killed. More than 300 thousand Talysh people have fled Azerbaijan to Russia and are persecuted by Azerbaijan,” the journalist said, going on: “2 million Talish people are residing in Azerbaijan. Is it possible to annihilate all them under the outside look of the world? In Azerbaijan any demand of having a TV channel, radio or a textbook in own native language makes you a separatist and a traitor to nation,” Mirzoev said.

Asked how the decision to come to Armenia with a family was made considering the risky consequences, Mirzoev replied: “I didn’t consider it risky, since the actual risk was my staying in Azerbaijan. I virtually fled Azerbaijan to avoid a death there. I will face a death should I return there again. The visit to Armenia was not risky and I have not been mistaken.”

To remind on February 11 Azerbaijani journalist at the “Tolishi Sado” newspaper Shahin Mirzoev, who is also a member of Talish Cultural Council, Talish freedom movement requested a temporary asylum in Armenia. Armenia’s MFA reported that Mirzoev was obliged to flee from Azerbaijan due to the persecutions against ethnic and religious minorities and gross violations of their rights. Shahin Mirzoev arrived in Armenia with his family, as the Armenian authorities have reacted positively to the request of journalist.