Olympic silver medalist Arsen Julfalakyan’s account of Armenia’s wrestling delegation being treated like “prisoners” in Azerbaijan has drawn renewed attention as Armenian athletes compete there for the first time since 2015.
Julfalakyan, a world champion, described the experience in a June 2015 interview with RFE/RL’s Armenian Service, explaining why he refused to compete at that year’s inaugural European Games in Azerbaijan. He said the Armenian team at the 2007 World Championships was kept apart from the public, barred from entering the city and shadowed by heavy security, adding that even restrooms were inspected before use. Fellow London 2012 medalist Artur Aleksanyan and his father and coach, Gevorg, also declined to attend the 2015 European Games, citing security concerns. Julfalakyan was the reigning world champion at the time of the interview. Over his career with Armenia he won silver at the 2012 Olympics, the 2014 world title, silver at the 2010 World Championships, world bronze in 2011 and 2013, and the 2009 European title. The three-time Olympian was reelected president of United World Wrestling’s Athletes’ Commission in 2025 and will serve through 2029. Armenia has sent 16 wrestlers — 10 Greco-Roman and six freestyle — to the 2026 U17 World Championships, held July 27 through Aug. 2. Armenian Wrestling Federation Secretary General Arayik Baghdadyan said the delegation received all necessary security assurances, including additional guarantees the federation requested.