The ongoing policy of ethnic hatred and discrimination in Armenia was highlighted once again during the European Weightlifting Championships in Yerevan. The attributes of Azerbaijan and Türkiye were hung in a torn state among the flags of other countries participating in the tournament. Additionally, during the opening ceremony, Aram Nikolyan, an employee of the Public Television of Armenia, snatched the flag of Azerbaijan from the flag bearer and set it on fire, before fleeing the stage with the flag. Nikolyan's actions were met with no criminal charges, adding to the growing concern about the policy of ethnic hatred in Armenia. In response to the vandalism, the Azerbaijani team refused to participate in the competition, citing Armenia's failure to provide security. The Ministry of Youth and Sports and the National Olympic Committee released a joint statement regarding the matter.