As can be understood from leaked reports, at the Meghri border crossing, Armenian customs created an artificial barrier: Armenian drivers were allowed to pass, while everyone else had to wait. Umid Imamguluzade protested and was “punished.” Videos of the driver beaten to near death spread in the media and on social networks, causing outrage among other truck drivers.
Let’s intentionally set aside how Iran will now respond: one ruling team is leaving, another has yet to come, and during such a period, drastic decisions are generally not made. The important point is not just that the conflict was caused by an illegal “barrier” for Iranian trucks. The driver was beaten by customs officers. Yes, in the event of a conflict, officials may use force to maintain order or protect their own safety, but Umid Imamguluzade was beaten to near death in a “street fight” manner. And if customs officers in Armenia behave this way, it is a sure sign that, as far back as the criminal dictatorship of the “Karabakh clan” in the spring of 1918, Armenia has not ceased to be a “zone of thuggery.” Possibly, only swapping Karabakh thugs for Ijevan thugs.
Most importantly, the victim of this lawlessness was a driver from Southern Azerbaijan, an ethnic Azerbaijani. And this looks very unlikely to be a coincidence. Therefore, the most serious conclusions must be drawn from this incident. Regarding the Zangezur corridor, which, according to the Trilateral Statement, should pass along the Armenia-Iran border guarded by Russian border guards, and for the security of which the Russian FSB should be responsible. In Armenia, they do not want to hear about this corridor, proposing alternative routes where Azerbaijani drivers would have to travel almost entirely through Armenian territory on roads controlled only by Armenia.
Let’s set aside the quality of these roads, their seasonality, and other issues. The most important thing is that the incident in Meghri convincingly demonstrated that ethnic Azerbaijanis, even with passports from supposedly friendly countries to Armenia, cannot feel safe on its territory. It’s a good time to recall how expert Rovshan Askerov, before leaving Russia, said in an interview: “I am a citizen of Russia. But due to circumstances, as a public figure, people know where I come from, and I have no guarantees of safety. The war between Armenia and Azerbaijan has been ongoing since 1988. And it is happening on Azerbaijani territory. Nagorno-Karabakh is Azerbaijani territory. There is a confrontation between the two countries. It’s like a Soviet citizen entering Germany in 1943. I don’t go to Armenia for the same reason I don’t go to Syria. I travel to any country calmly, knowing that I will return without problems. With Armenia, I have no such confidence.” Now the war is over, but safety for Azerbaijanis has not increased. Even with passports from third countries. Even at a well-guarded point like a border crossing. Consequently, any communications between the main part of Azerbaijan and Nakhchivan can be safe only with the guarantees of a third party. Azerbaijan cannot and will not rely on any assurances, promises, or “word of honor, ara, I swear by my mother.” No matter what various well-wishers whisper in the style of “well, don’t demand too much from Armenia.”
Those who do not believe it should simply imagine one of their loved ones in the place of this unfortunate driver.
