Expulsion from Azerbaijan – Nik Gugger: “The ambassador apologized in the conversation” – News

Azerbaijan has refused EPP National Councilor Nik Gugger entry into the country. He traveled to Azerbaijan on Saturday night to observe next Wednesday’s presidential elections for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE). His expulsion has now led to diplomatic tensions between Switzerland and Azerbaijan. Gugger spoke to the Azerbaijani ambassador to Switzerland about the expulsion.

Nik Gugger

National Council (EPP/ZH)


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Nik Gugger spent part of his childhood in Kerala, India. He completed an apprenticeship in mechanical engineering in Switzerland before studying social work and social management at the University of Applied Sciences Northwestern Switzerland. In 2018 he received an honorary doctorate from the Indian university KIIT for his commitment to Indian children and young people. He lives with his wife and three children in Winterthur.

SRF News: How did the conversation with the ambassador go?

Nik Gugger: It was relatively painless. I knew I had to de-escalate. The ambassador apologized during the conversation. He said it shouldn’t be because I was an MP. He clearly explained to me what the reason for the expulsion was.

Azerbaijani ambassador summoned


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The Foreign Ministry has summoned the Azerbaijani ambassador to Bern. This came after Swiss OSCE election observer EPP National Councilor Nik Gugger (ZH) had to leave the country in the Caucasus at the behest of the Azerbaijani authorities.

On this occasion, the FDFA expressed Switzerland’s displeasure with the “unacceptable treatment” of Gugger, the Federal Department said at the request of SRF News.

Your colleague from Parliament was not rejected, you were. What was the reason?

I have been a member of the Council of Europe for four years. The Council wanted to discuss full association with Azerbaijan a fortnight ago. We in the Council of Europe then only decided on a partial association. This was an insult to Azerbaijan. As a member of the Council of Europe, I ended up on a black list.

As a member of the Council of Europe, I ended up on a blacklist.

As a National Councilor, you are a member of a national parliament. Nevertheless, you were expelled. This actually rarely happens.

As a national councilor, there are different protocols when entering other countries. The Swiss embassy informed the OSCE. She was also there and stood up for me. That’s why everyone at the airport was a little confused. They didn’t know what to do because it was clear that I was accredited. On the other hand, I noticed that I was on this “Council of Europe list”. This list was described as “not welcome”. That’s why my passport flashed.

The ambassador promised me that he would try to lift the entry ban in the next 24 hours.

The plan is for you to travel back to Azerbaijan the day after the elections. Do you think this will work?

It would be like a miracle. The ambassador promised me that he would try to lift the entry ban in the next 24 hours. On the other hand, the Council of Europe’s ban is still on the table. I think the government is more likely to say no and not let me in.

The interview was conducted by Curdin Vincenz.

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