We were indignantly informed that the Azerbaijani authorities leveled the St. Hakob Church of Stepanakert city and the khachkars and monuments in the surrounding area, which according to Azerbaijani sources were allegedly illegal structures and should be dismantled. The information received regarding the destruction of the Saint Astvatsatsin Mother Cathedral of Stepanakert is also very worrying. This is stated in the statement issued by the Mother See.

The Mother See of Saint Etchmiadzin strongly condemns the consistent destruction of the spiritual and cultural heritage of Artsakh carried out by the Azerbaijani authorities. It is obvious that the government of Azerbaijan continues to target the Armenian Christian sanctuaries with the aim of erasing the Armenian trace from Artsakh.

This vandalism carried out at the state level proves once again that Azerbaijan’s anti-Armenian policy has not undergone any change, which makes the statements about establishing a stable and long-term peace with Armenia doubtful.

The Mother See of Saint Etchmiadzin calls on the head of the RA government and the representatives of the government to take urgent and effective steps to prevent the systematic appropriation and destruction of Artsakh’s spiritual and cultural heritage.

We also call on all states and international organizations interested in the preservation of cultural heritage, peaceful coexistence and cooperation of peoples in the region to take effective measures to stop cultural crimes in Artsakh.

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