Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry called on world community to respond to acts of vandalism by Armenians

Baku/17.10.22/Turan: The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry commented on the video footage of the destruction of the Azerbaijani cemetery by radical Armenians that has been circulated in social networks in recent days.

“These footage of vandalism, accompanied by offensive language, showing the destruction of tombstones by a truck is another clear example of the policy of destroying the Azerbaijani heritage pursued by Armenia for many years,” the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said in a comment.

For 30 years, Armenia has purposefully destroyed the historical, cultural and religious heritage of Azerbaijanis not only in their historical places of settlement in Armenia, but in Karabakh and adjacent regions as well.

"The Armenian population, which illegally settled in the territory of Azerbaijan, even leaving the territory of Azerbaijan after the hostilities, caused damage to infrastructure, monuments, and the environment," the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

Unfortunately, during the 30-year period of occupation, Armenia disrupted the visit of the UNESCO mission to the region.

In spite of the fact that after the liberation of the occupied territories, Azerbaijan invited the UNESCO mission, it has not yet taken place due to the destructive position of Armenia.

“Distributed video footage clearly shows why Armenia is not interested in the visit of an international mission to the region. These acts of vandalism committed by radical Armenians are a blow to the process of normalizing relations between the two states at a fragile post-conflict stage,” the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said in a comment.

Evidence of acts of vandalism, video images of major destruction in the liberated territories, are collected and documented by Azerbaijan, and appropriate steps are being taken to demand from the Armenian side a response for the acts committed and the damage caused.

"The international community should not be silent about the atrocities committed by Armenia not only against the heritage of Azerbaijan, but against the heritage of mankind as well," the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry concluded the commentary.

It ought be noted that video footage of the destruction of monuments by Armenians at the Azerbaijani cemetery using a truck appeared on social networks the day before. As stated, this happens in Khankendi. Acts of vandalism are accompanied by swearing in Armenian against the deceased. -06B-