Russian Journalist with Armenian Surname Denied Entry to Baku

MOSCOW — A Russian journalist has been denied entry to the Azerbaijani capital because of an Armenian surname in her passport.

Anna Sahakyan, who is an ethnic Russian, adopted her Armenian spouse’s surname after marriage. The journalist has shared her anger on Facebook.

“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 do regret for not saying it and leaving them with pride. To be frank, I was a little tired. I will never become a nationalist and will never hate Azerbaijan, but guys, don’t you see we are equal in front of God, and we are not going to be happy unless 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.

“Now I know for sure what people experience upon being mocked because of their ethnic origin, though I survived the exile in a very ‘mild’ way. And I understand that I have only one thousand friends who can share my post and the most important words of mine. Do not judge people for nationality. Yes, I had heard that such a thing could happen, but I wasn’t able to believe it,” she said.