I'm Not a Criminal, I Haven't Fled Military Service: Professional Boxer Erik Bazinyan

I'm not a criminal, I haven't fled military service. I have long been a citizen of Canada and cannot leave my job, my family, my contracts, and my sport to come and serve.

This was stated by Armenian professional boxer Erik Bazinyan, aged 27, who competes in the super middleweight class and is the champion according to WBO-NABO and WBA-NABA versions, as well as a WBO world champion for under-24.

On July 1, the professional boxer announced his decision to no longer compete under the Armenian flag via a Facebook post.

Erik, what led to your decision to no longer represent Armenia? What is the main reason?

The reason is the continued criminal prosecution against me by the Armenian government. I left Armenia with my family at the age of 15 to live abroad and focus on my sports career. As soon as I turned 18, criminal charges were filed against me for failing to fulfill my civic duty. Over the years, we've tried to resolve the issue through former administrations and current officials, but it has not been successful. I patiently waited until I turned 27, hoping that the charges against me would be dropped, but I received another denial.

There has always been a law that upon turning 27, you could pay state fees and be exempted from mandatory military service. The current government makes changes to this law every year, and according to their latest version, I am considered subject to service. The law allowing exemption through a financial penalty if you’ve reached 27 is no longer in effect.

You express your protest by no longer representing Armenia. What does that mean for you?

Throughout my sports career, I have often mentioned Armenia, I have tried to make my country recognizable to the best of my abilities, and I have done it with great love. My fights have been broadcasted on TV channels with audiences of millions, each time I am introduced as “from Armenia,” and I raise my country’s flag at the end of the fights. I compete under major organizations like WBO, WBA, and WBC and am ranked in the top ten across all. I am already preparing for a world title fight in two matches. I am known worldwide.

I do not wish to talk too much about my achievements, but I want to say that everywhere I represent Armenia, raising our flag in the ring; I compete as someone from Armenia while living in Canada. I actively participate in all Armenian initiatives, and every year on April 24, I speak out about the Armenian Genocide with the Armenian community to ensure the world recognizes it.

After all this, our government does not grant me pardon or amnesty, which would allow me to return to my homeland aside from representing my country.

Are you hurt?

If I am doing so much, making my homeland audible and visible, why does our country’s leadership not appreciate the efforts of Armenians living abroad, and why do they not yield in certain issues? I am Armenian, I am proud to be Armenian; I am not resentful of my country, but rather of our government. Many misunderstood me today: I am not renouncing being Armenian or from Armenia; I just will not be representing Armenia in sports anymore.

If I compete from Canada, my ranking will actually be higher. But I am Armenian, and I would like to continue to represent my homeland. I love my country deeply, but today I feel finally hurt. I still cannot come back to my homeland.

I am no longer subject to service since I have aged out. If I return, a judicial case will be initiated against me. I don’t need much from our government—drop the criminal prosecution, I’ll pay the penalties, and I’ll have the opportunity to restore my Armenian citizenship and come back to my homeland.

I have long been a citizen of Canada and cannot abandon my job, my family, my contracts, and my sport to come serve. I am not someone random sitting at home trying to escape military service. I work hard in a foreign country, proudly elevating our flag worldwide. Serious people here ask me why I am not going to Armenia. I respond that I am wanted.

They laugh, wondering how someone like me is dealt with in my homeland. I don’t feel well. Many write that I shouldn’t be angry with my country. I am not angry with my country; I am angry with the government, the leadership. Why should I uphold their dignity when I cannot set foot in my country?

I have a four-year-old child, and every year I send him to Armenia without me. Why can’t I come to my homeland? Why must I envy everyone who can move freely like them? Yes, before the law, everyone is equal, but I differ because I have achieved so much for my country through hard work.

If I lived in Armenia, I would have definitely served and would have never avoided military service. I have not fled service; I moved to another country to live with my parents at a young age. I believe I have served my country in my way.

What are you planning to do?

I am still waiting and hoping that they will grant me amnesty. If they drop the prosecution and I can return to my homeland, I will once again represent Armenia; if not, I will represent Canada.

I am not a criminal. Once again, I appeal to our government to grant me amnesty, to remove the prosecution so that I can have the opportunity to return to my homeland. I would like the authorities to think wisely and show the proper attitude towards athletes who uphold the honor of Armenia.