During the first semi-final, the Armenian representative Iveta Mukuchyan was seen waving the flag of Nagorno-Karabakh, a landlocked region in the South Caucasus.
After the broadcast of the semi-final, lots of tensions arose on the internet complaining about this action which was bringing politics to the competition.
Iveta was asked about the incident during the semi-final 1 qualifiers press conference and her comment was “I want peace. I put up the flag because I want people to concentrate on that. I just want peace in this world”.
Nevertheless, the EBU released a really strict statement over this matter, leaving open the subject of consequences the Armenian broadcaster might face.
EBU’s statement over Nagorno-Karabakh flag
https://www.facebook.com/EBU.HQ/posts/1045195205572896
Armenia is represented this year by Iveta Mukuchyan and her song Lovewave and they have passed through to the final this Saturday!