Author: Adrine Hakobian

Karabakh Underscores Russia’s Waning Influence in Ex-USSR

Adrine Hakobian
Kyiv Post, Ukraine
Sept 26 2023

Karabakh Underscores Russia’s Waning Influence in Ex-USSR

Armenia bitterly accused Russia of failing its mission when Azerbaijan last week launched a new offensive and took over the rest of the territory.

by AFP |

Azerbaijan’s lightning victory in Nagorno-Karabakh, where Moscow has stationed peacekeepers, shows that Russia’s influence is quickly dwindling in a region it has long considered its backyard, analysts say.

Russia, which has been mired in Ukraine since the start of the assault last year, refused to intervene when Azerbaijan seized control of the Armenian-populated region of Karabakh last week.

“What happened in Karabakh would have been impossible without a systemic weakening of the Russian state,” independent Caucasus expert Gela Vasadze said.

“Russia has no resources to shape the Caucasus affairs any longer.”

Over the past three decades Armenia and Azerbaijan have fought two wars over Nagorno-Karabakh, a majority ethnic Armenian enclave within the internationally recognized border of Azerbaijan.

Following a six-week war in 2020 Armenian separatists ceded territory they had controlled for decades in a deal brokered by Russia.

Moscow deployed some 2,000 peacekeepers mandated to ensure the safety of territories remaining under separatist control and prevent any new conflict.

Armenia bitterly accused Russia of failing its mission when Azerbaijan last week launched a new offensive and took over the rest of the territory.

The hostilities that according to the separatists killed some 200 people followed a months-long blockade in Karabakh that Armenia said Russian peacekeepers had also failed to prevent.

Azerbaijan’s one-day military operation ended on Wednesday with a separatist pledge to disarm and thousands of refugees streaming into Armenia.

Russian peacekeepers “turned out to be powerless in front of one of the parties — Azerbaijan,” said independent Russian analyst Arkady Dubnov.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan did not mince his words on Sunday, saying a security agreements with Russia had proved “insufficient” and suggesting he would seek new alliances.

Armenia is a member of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), a Moscow-led security alliance comprised of six post-Soviet states.

The group pledges to protect other members in case of an attack. “In recent days no one has mentioned the CSTO as if it does not exist,” said Dubnov.

“And that’s the truth — it does not,” he added, calling the alliance a “suitcase without a handle” – hard to carry around and a shame to abandon.

Moscow insisted that its peacekeepers were not to blame, vowed to ensure the rights of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh and said it was maintaining dialogue with Yerevan.

But in a sign of rising tensions, Moscow on Monday accused the Armenian leadership of “running to the West.”

“The leadership in Yerevan is making a huge mistake by deliberately trying to destroy Armenia’s multifaceted and centuries-old ties with Russia,” Russia’s foreign ministry said.

This month Armenia and the United States held military drills, in the latest sign of Yerevan drifting from Moscow’s orbit.

Russia’s assault on Ukraine has spurred other ex-Soviet countries to deepen alliances elsewhere. The leaders of five Central Asian former Soviet countries – Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, Turkmenistan, and Tajikistan – met for a summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in May.

Last week US President Joe Biden met the leaders of the so-called “C5” on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly in New York.

“Russia is losing its influence because it can’t offer a vision for the future, being busy with territorial expansion, mythologizing history, and looking for the future in its past,” Dubnov told AFP.

“Azerbaijan has taken advantage of the fact that Russia is focused on the conflict with Ukraine,” he added. Dubnov argued that Baku and Moscow were following the same logic as they sought to reshape their borders by force.

“The law of the strongest wins, and Moscow is leading by example.” Vasadze suggested that Russia would seek to regain ground in Armenia by helping install a new government there.

“Of course, Russia wants to maintain its influence on Armenia, where it lost its main lever – Karabakh,” he said.

“It is now focusing on its goal to have a loyal government in Yerevan and Pashinyan is not fit for the role.”

 

Türkiye’s Erdogan calls on Armenia to take ‘sincere steps towards peace’ on Azerbaijan trip

Adrine Hakobian
CGTN
Sept 26 2023
Türkiye’s Erdogan calls on Armenia to take ‘sincere steps towards peace’ on Azerbaijan trip
Louise Greenwood

Türkiye’s President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has called on Armenia to take what he calls “sincere steps towards peace,” after last week’s takeover by Azerbaijan of Nagorno-Karabakh. 

He was speaking alongside Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev on a trip to the Azerbaijani autonomous enclave of Nakhchivan, just as thousands of ethnic Armenians continue to flee their homes in Nagorno-Karabakh. 

Last week Baku launched what it called an “anti-terrorist operation” in the mountainous region, that left an estimated 200 ethnic Armenians dead. 

Attending to open a new military facility, Erdogan said the takeover of Nagorno-Karabakh provided “an historic opportunity to build peace” in the South Caucasus region. The Turkish president urged Armenia to “seize the hand extended to them.” 

Speaking alongside him, Azerbaijan’s Aliyev said the operation to take control of Nagorno-Karabakh was carried out with what he called “the utmost sensitivity to the rights of civilians.”

 

Explosions and arrests

The contested region is internationally recognized as being part of Azerbaijan but is home to an estimated 120,000 ethnic Armenians. Baku says it was forced to act after claiming that six of its citizens had been killed by landmines in two separate incidents in the territory, blaming Armenian armed groups for the incidents. 

Since the shelling by Azerbaijani forces last week, Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh have begun fleeing their homes and heading for the main border crossing into Armenia. On Monday there were reports of an explosion and injuries at a gas station as long queues built up, with people jostling to fill up their cars.

In the Armenian capital Yerevan, angry protests have continued between security forces and demonstrators who accuse the government of Nikol Pashinyan of failing to protect citizens of the region. More than 140 arrests have been made. 

Prime Minister Pashinyan has been defending his role, arguing that the leadership in the breakaway enclave has contributed to the unrest. He added that the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh are now facing “ethnic cleansing” from the region.

In Moscow, a Kremlin spokesman has responded to claims by some Armenians that Russia has failed to act to support its main ally in the Caucasus. Dmitry Peskov says that Russia “categorically disagrees” that it bears responsibility for the violence of recent days.

Azerbaijan has said the Karabakh Armenians can continue to live peacefully in Nagorno-Karabakh if they are willing to lay down weapons and accept being governed from Baku. But with many more people moving to the border, the assurances seem to be ringing hollow to many.

https://newseu.cgtn.com/news/2023-09-26/T-rkiye-s-Erdogan-tells-Armenia-to-take-sincere-steps-towards-peace–1npLBkL1XWw/index.html

BREAKING: Reports of explosion at gas station in Stepanakert

Adrine Hakobian

 19:52,

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 25, ARMENPRESS. Several media outlets and social media users are reporting an explosion at a gas station in Stepanakert. Multiple injuries are reported.

Member of Parliament of Nagorno-Karabakh Metakse Hakobyan told ARMENPRESS correspondent that the gas station where the explosion happened is outside Stepanakert but close to the city. “A gasoline warehouse exploded. The warehouse was used to give out fuel to those who wanted to leave Artsakh by their cars. Hundreds of people were gathered there when the explosion took place. I can’t say whether there are fatalities or not, or how many, but there definitely will be victims. We can’t clarify it quickly,” Hakobyan said, adding that there will definitely be many injuries.

The fuel depot was about 2 kilometers away from the city.  “The explosion was very powerful.”

The Nagorno-Karabakh State Service of Emergency Situations said the explosion took place at a fuel depot near the Stepanakert-Askeran road. The powerful blast resulted in deaths and injuries. The authorities did not specify the number of victims.

Multiple people with burns have been hospitalized.

This story has been updated with comments from Metakse Hakobyan and the State Service of Emergency Situations. 

[SEE VIDEO]




Armenia ratifies Protocol N. 13 Concerning the Abolition of Death Penalty in All Circumstances

Adrine Hakobian

 11:15,

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 12, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian parliament on Tuesday ratified the Protocol N. 13 to the Council of Europe Convention for the Protection of Human Rights and Fundamental Freedoms, Concerning the Abolition of the Death Penalty in All Circumstances.

The protocol was ratified with 87 votes in favor and 7 abstentions.

Deputy Minister of Justice Karen Karapetyan told lawmakers earlier on Monday that the protocol was signed by Armenia in 2006 but hasn’t been ratified since. “Whereas, this protocol is one of the unique international documents for which every year, as part of the universal campaign for abolition of death penalty, the Council of Europe Committee of Ministers is making written inquiries to Council of Europe member countries who haven’t ratified it, to clarify the reasons for delay,” he said.

“The ratification of the protocol is in line with Armenia’s policy as a country that is in favor of full abolition of death penalty. Moreover, death penalty is already prohibited by the Armenian constitution. The number 13 protocol is in line with the international obligations already assumed by Armenia,” Karapetyan added.




CSTO has seemingly washed its hands of Armenia and withdrawn – lawmaker

Adrine Hakobian

 17:14, 7 September 2023

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 7, ARMENPRESS. At this moment Armenia is not discussing withdrawing from the CSTO, MP Sargis Khandanyan representing the ruling Civil Contract party said Thursday when asked whether or not the Armenian authorities consider quitting the military bloc.

“It seems like it’s the CSTO itself that has washed its hands of Armenia and is withdrawing. The technical aspects and processes are a matter of additional discussions. A complex discussion should take place on the right time, moment and consequences,” Khandanyan, the Chair of the Parliamentary Committee of Foreign Relations, told reporters.

Khandanyan said Armenia is open to cooperate with other partners in security and defense.

Asked on a possible prospect of replacing the CSTO with another system, the MP said, “How can the CSTO be replaced if the CSTO is displaying inaction towards Armenia? We don’t want to cooperate with the kind of a mechanism that would again display inaction.”

RFE/RL Armenian Service – 09/07/2023

Adrine Hakobian 
                                        Thursday, September 7, 2023
Prosecutors Drop Case Concerning Ex-President Sarkisian’s Foreign Trips
        • Naira Bulghadarian
Armenia - Former President Serzh Sarkisian and his supporters visit the Komitas 
Pantheon in Yerevan, March 25, 2022.
Former President Serzh Sarkisian has been cleared of any wrongdoing following a 
more than yearlong investigation into the legality of his private trips to 
Germany taken during his rule, it emerged on Thursday.
The Yerevan-based Union of Informed Citizens (UIC) said two years ago that 
Sarkisian used a government plane to travel to the German resort town of 
Baden-Baden on at least 16 occasions from 2008 through 2017. In a written 
complaint submitted to state prosecutors, the non-governmental organization 
claimed that the flights were financed by taxpayers’ money illegally and without 
any justification.
The prosecutors ordered the Special Investigative Service (SIS) to look into the 
claims. The SIS opened in October 2021 a criminal case in connection with what 
it called a possible abuse of power. It said some of Sarkisian’s flights to 
Germany appear to have been carried out in breach of official rules and 
procedures for the use of the government jet.
A lawyer for Sarkisian, Amram Makinian, has dismissed the investigation as a 
publicity stunt organized by the current Armenian government. He has said that 
the UIC’s allegations are based on inaccurate information provided by the 
government’s Civil Aviation Committee.
The Office of the Prosecutor-General said on Thursday that the law-enforcement 
body, which is now called the Anti-Corruption Committee (ACC), found no evidence 
in support of the allegations during the probe that lasted for over 18 months. 
The criminal case against the 69-year-old ex-president was therefore closed, the 
office told RFE/RL’s Armenian Service. The UIC leader, Daniel Ioannisian, 
criticized the decision.
Sarkisian, who co-heads one of the opposition groups represented in Armenia’s 
current parliament, admitted earlier in 2021 spending vacations in Baden-Baden. 
But he flatly denied allegations that he visited the world-famous German resort 
for gambling purposes. Sarkisian’s political allies have repeatedly accused 
law-enforcement authorities of targeting him and his relatives on government 
orders.
Karabakh Youths Freed By Azerbaijan
Azerbaijan - Three Karabakh Armenian men are pictured after being arrested at 
the Azerbaijani checkpoint in the Lachin corridor on August 28, ,2023.
Three residents of Nagorno-Karabakh were set free and handed over to Armenia on 
Thursday ten days after being arrested at the Azerbaijani checkpoint in the 
Lachin corridor.
The young men were taken into Azerbaijani custody as they and dozens of other 
Karabakh Armenians travelled to Armenia in a convoy of vehicles escorted by 
Russian peacekeepers. Karabakh’s leadership and the Armenian government strongly 
condemned the arrests.
The Azerbaijani authorities said the three detainees aged between 20 and 22 are 
members of a Karabakh football team that had “disrespected” the Azerbaijani 
national flag in a 2021 video posted on social media. They were placed under a 
ten-day administrative arrest as a result.
Armenia’s National Security Service reported that Alen Sargsian, Vahe Hovsepian 
and Levon Grigorian were handed over to its border guards deployed the near the 
Azerbaijani checkpoint. The office of Karabakh’s human rights defender said it 
will talk to them to find out more details of their “kidnapping” and their 
treatment by Azerbaijani authorities.
Another Karabakh man, Vagif Khachatrian, was arrested at the Azerbaijani 
checkpoint in late July while being evacuated by the International Committee of 
the Red Cross (ICRC) to Armenia. The 68-year-old was taken Baku to stand trial 
on charges of killing and deporting Karabakh’s ethnic Azerbaijani residents in 
December 1991, at the start of the first Armenian-Azerbaijani war.
Karabakh’s leadership rejected the “false” accusations and demanded 
Khachatrian’s immediate release. The Armenian Foreign Ministry likewise 
condemned Khachatrian’s arrest as a “blatant violation of international 
humanitarian law” and a “war crime.”
Russia Steps Up Criticism Of U.S.-Armenian Drills
        • Gevorg Stamboltsian
        • Ruzanna Stepanian
Russia - A view of the Kremlin, Moscow, April 20, 2020.
Russia continued to criticize on Thursday Armenia’s decision to host a joint 
U.S.-Armenian military exercise later this month.
The Eagle Partner 2023 exercise, scheduled for September 11-20, will reportedly 
involve 85 U.S. and 175 Armenian soldiers. According to the Armenian Defense 
Ministry, they will simulate a joint peacekeeping operation in an imaginary 
conflict zone.
“Holding such exercises in the current situation does not contribute to the 
strengthening of stability and the atmosphere of trust in the region,” Kremlin 
spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
The planned drills were also criticized by three Russian deputy foreign 
ministers. One of them, Mikhail Galuzin, claimed that the drills are part of 
NATO’s efforts to lure Russia’s ex-Soviet neighbors into its “vicious zone of 
influence.”
“It is natural that we draw the attention of our partners to the fact that 
rapprochement with NATO would hardly have any positive results in terms of 
ensuring their own security", Galuzin told the official TASS news agency. "I am 
sure that the Armenian people, the Armenian public understand everything very 
well and will draw the right conclusions corresponding to Armenia's long-term 
security.”
Another vice-minister, Sergei Ryabkov, said Armenia should instead participate 
in joint exercises with Russia and other allies making up the Russian-led 
Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).
Early this year, Yerevan cancelled a CSTO exercise which it was due to host this 
fall, underscoring its unhappiness with what Armenian leaders see as a lack of 
Russian and CSTO support for Armenia in the conflict with Azerbaijan.
The discontent is the main reason for growing tensions between Moscow and 
Yerevan. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian stoked them last week when he declared 
that his government is trying to “diversify our security policy” because 
Armenia’s reliance on Russia for defense and security has proved a “strategic 
mistake.” Pashinian also suggested that Russia will eventually “leave” Armenia 
and the South Caucasus in general. Moscow denounced his statements.
Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovannisian downplayed the deepening 
rift between the two allied countries.
“We always have differences with all partners,” Hovannisian told journalists. 
“This doesn’t mean that they can be construed as tensions.”
For his part, Sargis Khandanian, the pro-government chairman of the Armenian 
parliament committee on foreign relations, defended Yerevan’s “sovereign 
decision” to host the joint drills with U.S. troops. “I think this [Russian 
criticism] is also a reaction to and a result of the deepening U.S.-Armenian 
relations,” he said.
Pashinian Asks World Powers To Prevent ‘New Azerbaijani Attack’
        • Astghik Bedevian
Armenia - Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian speaks during a cabinet meeting in 
Yerevan, September 7, 2023.
Prime Minister Nikol Pashinian pleaded with the international community on 
Thursday to intervene to thwart what he described as Azerbaijan’s plans to 
launch a new military attack on Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh.
Echoing statements by other Armenian officials, Pashinian said that Azerbaijani 
troops have been massing along the Armenian-Azerbaijani border and the 
Nagorno-Karabakh “line of contact.” He said Baku is thus “demonstrating its 
intention to launch a new military provocation.”
“I think the situation is such that the international community, UN Security 
Council member states should take very serious measures to prevent a new 
explosion in our region,” he added during a cabinet meeting in Yerevan.
The secretary of Armenia’s Security Council, Armen Grigorian, made the same 
appeal when he met with the Yerevan-based ambassadors of foreign countries on 
Wednesday.
The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry was quick to deny Pashinian’s claims and blame 
Armenia for rising tensions in the conflict zone. It said that Yerevan should 
end its “military-political provocations,” drop “territorial claims” to 
Azerbaijan and stop hampering the signing of an Armenian-Azerbaijani treaty.
Pashinian insisted that Armenia stands ready to sign such a treaty. He also 
reaffirmed his commitment to Armenian-Azerbaijani understandings brokered by 
Russia and the European Union.
Pashinian pledged in May to recognize Azerbaijani sovereignty over Karabakh, 
drawing condemnation from Karabakh’s leadership and the Armenian opposition. He 
complained afterwards that Baku is seeking the kind of peace deal that would not 
prevent it from laying claim to Armenian territory.
Pashinian on Thursday did not specifically request military assistance from 
Russia, Armenia’s increasingly estranged ally. The Armenian government has 
repeatedly accused Moscow and the Russian-led Collective Security Treaty 
Organization (CSTO) of ignoring such requests made during the September 2022 
large-scale fighting on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.
Tensions between Yerevan and Moscow have deepened since then. They escalated 
further last week after Pashinian said that his administration is trying to 
“diversify our security policy” because the Russians are “unwilling or unable” 
to defend Armenia
Reposted on ANN/Armenian News with permission from RFE/RL
Copyright (c) 2023 Radio Free Europe / Radio Liberty, Inc.
1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.

Legendary artistic gymnast Albert Azaryan dead at 94

Adrine Hakobian

 17:56, 5 September 2023

YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 5, ARMENPRESS. Olympic gold winner, artistic gymnast Albert Azaryan has died at the age of 94, the head of the Armenian Gymnastics Federation Gagik Vanoyan announced Tuesday.

Azaryan won a gold medal in the rings at the 1956 and 1960 Olympics, the 1954 and 1958 World Championships and the 1955 European Championships, adding several more medals in team events. His perhaps biggest legacy is the Azaryan cross, in which the gymnast hangs straight with his arms stretched, like a crucifix. Azaryan was the first gymnast to perform this move, which was named for him.

Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre to Present ‘A Ballet Spectacular’ at Alex Theatre

Adrine Hakobian
by Contributor

 

 September 5, 2023

 

in Arts & Culture, Community, Latest, News, Top Stories

Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre’s “A Ballet Spectacular” flyer

Featuring Principals Eduard Sargsyan (Armenian National Ballet) and Irina Gharibyan (Moscow Ballet), Along with Acclaimed Pianist Mikhail Korzhev Performing Live on Stage

GLENDALE—The Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre returns to the Alex Theatre with “A Ballet Spectacular,” a compilation of some of the world’s most famous ballet selections under the direction of award winning choreographer, Natasha Middleton. The performance marks PBDT’s first time back since 2019 and features an exciting lineup of stars performing to selections from “Don Quixote,” “Masquerade,” “Spartacus,” and the Armenian favorite “Gayane.” This premiere performance, which will be held on Sunday, September 24th at 5 p.m., will also feature award winning pianist Mikhail Korzhev playing with the dancers live on stage to Rachmaninov’s “Spring Waters Pas de Deux!”

“We’re thrilled to be back at the Alex with a program that highlights cultures from around the world,” said PBDT’s Director and Choreographer Natasha Middleton. “This year, we’re looking to create a really special moment on stage by bringing in Mikhail Korzhev to perform live with our dancers on the stage.”

The Principal dancers for the upcoming PBDT show include Eduard Sargsyan, former dancer of the Armenian National Ballet, and Irina Gharibyan, a prodigy of PBDT who also guest performed with the Moscow Ballet. Rounding out the cast are Damara Titmus-Graves (formerly of Denver Ballet) with Elan Alekzander,, Natalie Palmgren, Samantha Bell, Ian Schwaner and more.

ACT I from “A Ballet Spectacular” will feature selections from the ballet Don Quixote. The fun love story about Kitri (Irina Gharibyan of Glendale), Lorenzo’s daughter, is in love with Basilio (Eduard Sargsyan of Redondo Beach).  Much to her chagrin, she learns of her father’s plans to marry her to Gamache, a foppish nobleman.  At the height of merriment, Kitri and Basilio, aided by their friends, Espada (Lester Gonzalez of San Diego), the Toreador and Mercedes (Damara Titmus of Reseda), the Gypsy Street Dancer, all sneak off together. 

The second act will present award-winning Russian pianist Mikhail Korzhev playing live on stage to Rachmaninov’s Spring Waters and danced by principal ballerina Elan Alekzander (guesting from Anaheim Ballet) and Pbdt soloist Richard Biglia (Burbank.) The Waltz from composer Aram Khachaturian’s hauntingly beautiful ballet “Masquerade” with choreography by Natasha Middleton set to a stage of mystery and intrigue. Also featuring Khachaturian famous Saber Dance and the Lezghinka from the Armenian story ballet “Gayane” and danced in the style of ballet and folk dance.

Since its inception in 1954, the PBDT continues to bring the audiences powerful and atmospheric performances and has gained a notable following, growing to become one of the major dance companies within the greater Los Angeles area.  The PBDT attracts first-class talent from across the country and around the world that contribute their unique experience to both the stage and audience. 

Tickets are on sale now. Please visit the Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre website for more information.  The Alex Theatre is located at 216 N. Brand Blvd, Glendale, CA, 91203.

First founded in 1954 by Andrei Tremaine as Pacific Ballet Theatre, the company carries a family legacy of the Ballet Russe de Monte Carlo and remains now under the direction of Tremaine’s daughter, Natasha Middleton. In 2012, the company officially became the Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre (PBDT) and continues to bring audiences a powerful and atmospheric performance as one of the major dance companies within the greater Los Angeles area.  Featuring first-class talent from around the world, the Pacific Ballet Dance Theatre’s mission is to perform captivating ballet presentations and offer engaging educational programs that nurture the talent and artistic creativity within the diverse community of Southern California.


ECHR gives Azerbaijan by September 7 to provide information on kidnapped Nagorno- Karabakh students

Adrine Hakobian

 16:53,

YEREVAN, AUGUST 31, ARMENPRESS. The European Court of Human Rights has given Azerbaijan by September 7 to provide information about the three students from Nagorno-Karabakh who were kidnapped by Azerbaijani border guards in Lachin Corridor on August 28, the Office of the Representative of Armenia for International Legal Matters said in a press release.

"Mostly Russian citizens and students are leaving Karabakh." Comments from Baku

Adrine Hakobian
Aug 25 2023
  • JAMnews
  • Baku

Armenians leaving Karabakh

Over the past few days, there has been an increase in the number of people crossing the Lachin border crossing with Armenia. The Azerbaijani government-controlled media broadcast reports from the Azerbaijani border with Armenia every day, and interviews with people passing through the checkpoint.

  • EFJ demands an independent investigation into the crisis in the Azerbaijani editorial office of Radio Liberty
  • Six Ukrainians living on the Georgian-Russian border for a week: Georgia won’t let them in, they are afraid to go to Russia
  • “Baku intends to allow only the exit of people from Nagorno-Karabakh” – Pashinyan

Public Television of Azerbaijan (ITV) reported that over 300 people have left Karabakh for Armenia in the last 3-4 days. It is emphasized that those crossing the border have Russian passports and most of them are young people and minors.

“In addition to those who crossed the border themselves, people from Karabakh, including sick people, were brought to Armenia in the vehicles of the International Committee of the Red Cross,” the TV channel’s report says.

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan blamed official Baku at a government session a few days ago and said that the border is open only for those leaving, resulting in hundreds of Armenians leaving Karabakh every day. Pashinyan explains what happened by “pressure from Azerbaijan”.

Haji Namazov believes that “if in the coming days from Khankendi or Yerevan they do not declare the inevitability of integration, we must be prepared for the worst of the options

In a statement to Meydan TV, former Azerbaijani Foreign Minister Tofig Zulfugarov did not consider what Nikol Pashinyan said to be true.

The former minister suggests that most of the people who left Karabakh in recent days were students: “This is not resettlement.”

Tofig Zulfugarov connects what is happening with the internal situation in the part of Karabakh controlled by Russian peacekeepers:

“From the very beginning it was assumed that three groups would be formed in Karabakh, and this happened. One can see Vardanyan’s participation in the formation of the first group, his calls sound like a continuation of the war. The second group is those who are trying to formalize their property in various forms, still pondering whether to stay in the region or not. The third group wants to stay and live in Karabakh. A few months ago, President Ilham Aliyev said that Azerbaijan’s sovereignty should be restored”.

Zulfugarov noted that the Lachin crossing will have humanitarian significance:

“The Khankendi-Agdam road will be used for transportation of goods. Because the highway has been restored there, and the railroad will start working soon”.

The meeting of the UN Security Council on the situation around the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, initiated by Armenia, ended without results

Conflictologist Arif Yunus also believes that the majority of those leaving are Russian citizens:

“They are mostly students or those who came for vacations and are now returning after obtaining a permit.”

According to him, it is necessary to obtain a permit to leave Karabakh:

“They are afraid to leave the territory without a permit.”

Arif Yunus also states that currently about 5,000 Armenians cannot return to Karabakh:

“The main pressure is exerted precisely through these 5,000 Armenians. But it is difficult to say in what form this pressure takes. It’s just that the Armenian Prime Minister’s speech was in this context. It is true that Nikol Pashinyan also adds 35 thousand Armenians who once lived in Shusha, Hadrut and the former Shahumyan region. This is a separate matter, but there are 5 thousand Karabakh Armenians living in Armenia now, who are afraid to return.

The arrest of Vagif Khachatryan had a great influence on the emergence of this fear. The second reason is the propaganda of the Russian peacekeepers. The Russians tell them that Azerbaijan has a plan: either you must leave Karabakh or they will arrest you all one by one, like Khachatryan. The information about Khachatryan was also given to Azerbaijan by the Russians. As a result, the Karabakh Armenians were afraid that they would be arrested upon their return.

Azerbaijani MP Erkin Gadirli believes that the former prosecutor of the International Criminal Court, Luis Moreno Ocampo, “gave empty hopes to Armenians” with his “significance for show”

According to lawyer Samed Rahimli, there is an ongoing debate about whether Nagorno-Karabakh is under blockade:

“The positions of Yerevan and Baku on the issue of releasing food and people differ. Armenians cite the humanitarian situation caused by the blockade as the main reason for their migration. But I cannot say whether in reality a humanitarian situation has arisen or not. It is difficult to give a clear assessment today, as this dispute between the sides has not been resolved.”

On April 23, 2023, Azerbaijan’s State Border Service reported that it had established a checkpoint on the border with Armenia, at the beginning of the Lachin-Khankendi (Stepanakert) road. On May 4, changes were made to the “Number of checkpoints on the state border of the Republic of Azerbaijan and the list of their locations”. The decision was signed by the prime minister

https://jam-news.net/mostly-russian-citizens-and-students-are-leaving-karabakh-comments-from-baku/