At first glance, international politics and subway train graffiti don’t seem to have much in common, right? Well, awaken from your slumber. In fact it does, and more than you think. How? Well, allow us to explain the case of Théo Clerc, the French writer who, along with a New Zealander and an Australian writer, got caught painting a subway in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.
Painting trains is an illegal activity. The writers who paint them know this, and generally take their chances. Let’s say it’s part of the game: the more difficult systems are emotionally rewarding and, from other writers playing the same game, garner more respect than actions in easier spots.
Clearly this could be just another story about a graffiti writer behind bars. (It’s not always the case). But what makes this different?
France and the crisis between Armenia and Arzebaijan
Geopolitical crises are too complex to describe here, but if we simplify it a bit we can say that this new crisis between the two countries dates back to 2020 and has more or less to do with the dispute over some territories.
We are far away, aren’t we? These problems don’t affect us… until they do.
Last year, France signed documents in support of Armenia, including defence aid in these treaties, making France an ally against Azerbaijan. In fact, prior to the sentencing of Clerc last week, the French Foreign Ministry issued a warning advising French citizens to avoid traveling to Azerbaijan, citing risks of arrest, arbitrary detention and unfair trials.
See what we’re getting at?
Sentence
On September 10th, the three foreign nationals arrested last April were found guilty by the Narimanov District Court for group vandalism and intentional destruction or damage to property with subsequent consequences.
The Frenchman was sentenced to three years in prison, while the other two were fined 6,800 AZN (3,620 euros). Clerc had previously been fined 4,600 AZN by a First District Court, but the Baku Court of Appeals increased the damages to 11,600 AZN (just short of 6,200 euros).
There is a stark difference between the sentences, even though they were all accused of the same thing. Don’t you think?
The three writers are preparing their appeal, the Parisian has been in jail for two months, and the other two writers are under house arrest in the country. Clerc believes that it is his nationality and not the act of painting that has exacerbated his sentence, and it seems that political tensions have indeed turned the situation against him.
If you are interested in this issue, and think you can help, check this link.
At first glance, international politics and subway train graffiti don’t seem to have much in common, right? Well, awaken from your slumber. In fact it does, and more than you think. How? Well, allow us to explain the case of Clerc, the Parisian writer who, along with a New Zealander and an Australian writer, got caught painting a subway in Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan.
Painting trains is an illegal activity. The writers who paint them know this, and generally take their chances. Let’s say it’s part of the game: the more difficult systems are emotionally rewarding and, from other writers playing the same game, garner more respect than actions in easier spots.
Clearly this could be just another story about a graffiti writer behind bars. (It’s not always the case). But what makes this different?
France and the crisis between Armenia and Arzebaijan
Geopolitical crises are too complex to describe here, but if we simplify it a bit we can say that this new crisis between the two countries dates back to 2020 and has more or less to do with the dispute over some territories that Armenia controls within the territory of Azerbaijan.
We are far away, aren’t we? These problems don’t affect us… until they do.
Last year, France signed documents in support of Armenia, including defence aid in these treaties, making France an ally against Azerbaijan. In fact, prior to the sentencing of Clerc last week, the French Foreign Ministry issued a warning advising French citizens to avoid traveling to Azerbaijan, citing risks of arrest, arbitrary detention and unfair trials.
See what we’re getting at?
Sentence
On September 10th, the three foreign nationals arrested last April were found guilty by the Narimanov District Court for group vandalism and intentional destruction or damage to property with subsequent consequences.
The Frenchman was sentenced to three years in prison, while the other two were fined 6,800 AZN (3,620 euros). Clerc had previously been fined 4,600 AZN by a First District Court, but the Baku Court of Appeals increased the damages to 11,600 AZN (just short of 6,200 euros).
There is a stark difference between the sentences, even though they were all accused of the same thing. Don’t you think?
The three writers are preparing their appeal, the Parisian has been in jail for two months, and the other two writers are under house arrest in the country. Clerc believes that it is his nationality and not the act of painting that has exacerbated his sentence, and it seems that political tensions have indeed turned the situation against him.
If you are interested in this issue, and think you can help, check this link.
2 What do you think?
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