‘The minor boy called from home and sent pictures’: Giloyan provides details

At the European Weightlifting Championship for teenagers (ages 15-17), taking place in the capital of Moldova, Chisinau, referee Nazik Avdalyan did not stand up during the Turkish national anthem. For clarification, Auroranews established contact with the Deputy Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sports, Karen Giloyan, who mentioned during the conversation that Avdalyan did not have any intention of remaining seated during the anthem:

“She fully explained the situation; there was no intention. The minor boy called from home and sent pictures. At that moment, the phone was not charged, and the charging cable was also short, so she had to kneel down to reach the phone to view the pictures. The action coincided, and they tried to take advantage of the situation. She has already given an explanation to the European Federation, and it seems that this explanation has been accepted,” noted Giloyan.

In a widely circulated video, it appears that Avdalyan kneels and stands up after the anthem is finished. Earlier, in a conversation with Auroranews, Giloyan had confirmed the information that an incident occurred in Moldova involving world champion Nazik Avdalyan at the Weightlifting World Championship.