Azerbaijan insists on removal of Armenian population from Lachin and two villages

CAUCASIAN KNOT

Aug 18 2022

The Armenian population of Lachin and the villages of Akhavno and Sus must leave these territories, the Azerbaijani President, Ilham Aliev, has stated.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that residents of Berdzor (the Azerbaijani name is Lachin, – note of the "Caucasian Knot") and the village of Akhavno (the Azerbaijani name is Zabukh, – note of the "Caucasian Knot") in Nagorno-Karabakh must leave their houses before August 20, as from that day on, communications will be cut off in these dwelling settlements, local authorities have confirmed.

According to the agreement signed by Aliev, Pashinyan and Putin, Armenia transferred the territory of the Lachin District to Azerbaijan. In June 2022, the Azerbaijan State Highway Agency reported that the construction of the 32-kilometre-long Azerbaijani section of the road continues at an accelerated pace and is scheduled to be completed this year. The transfer of Lachin (the Armenian name is Berdzor) under Azerbaijan's control was delayed due to the absence of an alternative road from Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia. After the launch of this road, Lachin will be transferred to Azerbaijan, Azerbaijani experts explained in July.

The people illegally settled in the town of Lachin and the villages of Zabukh and Sus must be evicted, Ilham Aliev said in an interview with the Azerbaijani TV on August 12. "Their presence there, in essence, is a war crime, because it contradicts the rules of the Geneva Convention. (…) Perhaps the Armenians living there, who came from Syria and Lebanon, don't know this, but the leadership of Armenia is well aware of this. Let them not to test us and our patience again. Let them leave of their own free will. We are not interested in where they go. We must return to Lachin, Zabukh and Sus. I instructed the State Committee for Refugees and Internally Displaced Persons to contact residents of Lachin, Sus and Zabukh; and we'll soon return them to their native places," the "Caucasian Knot" correspondent has translated the words of the Azeri President.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on at 09:40 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

See earlier reports:
Authorities hurry residents of Akhavno and Berdzor to move out, Despite authorities' warning, Akhavno villager burns his house down, Residents of Akhavno and Berdzor reproach authorities for demanding urgent evacuation.