Renowned journalist and travel blogger Mr Alexander Lapshin is set to visit Australia in February 2024, bringing to light his personal experiences of imprisonment under the Azerbaijani government—a regime known for its oppressive practices.
Lapshin, an Israeli journalist, faced incarceration in Azerbaijan in 2016 for visiting the recently ethnically cleansed Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and speaking out against Azerbaijan’s brutal oppression of Armenians.
In a bid to highlight not only his own ordeal but also the Azerbaijani regime’s imprisonment of more than two dozen Armenians from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) and the dictatorship’s suppression of freedom of speech, Lapshin is set to engage with Australian legislators and media personalities, facilitated by the Armenian National Committee of Australia (ANC-AU).
Armenian National Committee of Australia Executive Director Michael Kolokossian said, “What makes Lapshin’s narrative particularly compelling is his diverse background—Ukrainian and Israeli roots—that adds a unique global perspective.”
“We are pleased to have the opportunity to be joined by Lapshin in speaking to Australian legislators and local media, highlighting why it is important for the Australian Government to take a principled decision in sanctioning the Azerbaijani government for their human rights violations against journalists and the Armenians of Nagorno Karabakh.”
“In an era where journalism faces increasing scrutiny and freedom of expression is at risk, Lapshin’s experiences, from imprisonment to navigating the complex geopolitical landscape of Nagorno-Karabakh, offer a powerful call for awareness and action.”
The Armenian National Committee of Australia has announced events in Sydney and Melbourne, providing the Armenian-Australian community with unique opportunities to hear Mr Alexander Lapshin’s untold stories from inside the prisons of Azerbaijan. More details below.