Translated material
An Armenian NGO reported the demolition of a church in Khankendi by Azerbaijan
An Armenian NGO reported on the demolition by the Azerbaijani authorities of the Cathedral of the Holy Protection of the Virgin Mary in Khankendi, Karabakh.
“This is not just the demolition of a church. This is a continuation of the same policies that led to the Armenian genocide a century ago. Today it is manifesting itself in new forms - as cultural genocide and a planned process of destruction. Not only buildings are destroyed, but also the identity of the people, the past and the right to the future,” the statement says.
The organization called on the Armenian authorities to publicly condemn what is happening and bring the issue to international platforms.
The cathedral was founded in 2006 and consecrated in 2019.
Earlier in April, the Armenian monitoring group reported the demolition of another church in Khankendi - St. Hakob. It was built in 2007.
Satellite images analyzed by Radio Liberty confirm the demolition of churches in Khankendi (Armenian name Stepanakert) between March 3 and April 2 this year.
The Azerbaijani authorities did not comment on the demolition of churches.
Radio Liberty's interlocutor in Baku noted that Azerbaijan recognizes the period of existence of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) as an occupation, and all buildings erected at that time by local authorities are illegal. The source clarified that cultural heritage sites, including Christian churches, are under state protection.
The interlocutor also said that, according to official data from Azerbaijan on the territory of Karabakh, out of 67 mosques, 65 were destroyed, and two more were desecrated and seriously damaged during the NKR period.
- Karabakh, according to international law, is part of Azerbaijan. Most of the region has been under the control of the authorities of the self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh Republic since the late 1980s and early 1990s. Baku regained control over part of the territory as a result of a 44-day war in the fall of 2020. In September 2023, Azerbaijan carried out a military operation in the region, as a result of which the unrecognized Armenian republic ceased to exist, and Baku restored its jurisdiction over the region.
- About 120 thousand people, mostly ethnic Armenians, were forced to leave their homes due to fears of persecution by the Azerbaijani authorities. Baku called on the Armenian population to stay in Karabakh and accept Azerbaijani citizenship. Azerbaijan also reported that it guarantees respect for all rights, including religious ones, for Armenians who decide to remain in Karabakh.
An Armenian NGO reported the demolition of a church in Khankendi by Azerbaijan