Tuesday, January 24 2023 14:51

ArmInfo.Australian Open Semi-Finalist Karen Khachanov made headlines tonight across Australian media outlets for his brave and courageous support of the  Republic of Artsakh, reported the Armenian National Committee of  Australia (ANC-AU).

Yesterday, the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU)  sent its daily Media Release to over 200 journalists and media  outlets featuring Australian Khachanov's support for the Republic of  Artsakh, which entered its 45th day under siege by Azerbaijan who has  blockaded Artsakh's sole land route to the outside world. Following  an amazing victory in his third match at the Australian Open in  Melbourne against American national Frances Tiafoe, his message to  the world stated, "ARTSAKH STAY STRONG". Khachanov, who has now made  it to the Australian Open Semi-Finals utilised his platform again to  amplify the voices of the voiceless and after handing his Japanese  rival a double bagel in his three-set victory. 

The Russian-Armenian ran over to the Channel 9 camera with another  message of solidarity, stating, "Keep believing all the way until the  end!!! Artsakh Stay Strong!!!". Khachanov's support for Artsakh was  covered tonight in The West Australian, Channel 7, Channel 9, Perth  Now, Singleton Argus, Yahoo Sport, and the Daily Express, In an  attempt to silence Khachanov, the Azerbaijani Tennis Federation  claimed that Khachanov's message of solidarity in support of innocent  Christians under siege was 'hateful' and immediately appealed to the  International Tennis Federation. Michael Kolokossian, the Executive  Director of the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU),  said the petro-dictatorship is once again scrambling to silence  criticism on an international stage.

"This is just another example of Azerbaijani authorities punishing  critics who expose the country's gross human rights violations  against the indigenous Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh. The claims that  Khachnov's comments are hateful is bogus," said Kolokossian. 

"Azerbaijan can continue to prohibit freedom of expression in its own  country, but it has no right to restrict artistic expressions here in  Australia that promote human rights, especially in an era where  political activism by athletes has become increasingly common." "It  is great to see the Australian Open stand by Khachanov in his plea  for peace. We thank the International Tennis Federation (ITF) and  Australian Open for not bowing to Azerbaijani threats." added  Kolokossian. The Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU)  thanks Karen Khachanov for bringing mass media awareness to the  plight of our compatriots in Artsakh who currently have no access to  the outside world as a result of Azerbaijani aggression.