NGOs Express Concern with Demolition of Architectural Monuments in Soviet Street

The Public Association Gasr for the protection of cultural heritage and historical monuments is concerned about the illegal demolition of historical and architectural monuments on the territory known as Soviet Street in the Yasamal district of Baku.

As stated in the message of the public association, received by Turan, by the decision of the Cabinet of Ministers No. 132 of August 2, 2001, on the territory of the Soviet Street the historical and architectural monuments were monitored and their demolition was stopped.

However, the mass demolition continues. And the chief executive of the Yasamal district insists on the destruction of the historical and architectural property, since there are no legally supporting documents in respect of it. The report said that after the eviction, the historical and architectural monuments are unusable, and then they are photographed and demolished, without any coordination with the relevant agencies. Within one day, using heavy machinery of the company Azeravtoyol and the decision of the Commission for Demolition, the Yasamal executive power destroys the historical and architectural sites.

It came to the fact that the mosque located at 63 Mustafa Subhi Street, built in 1908 and being under state protection with the inventory number 3607, is being prepared for demolition. The Demolition Commission of the Yasamal District Executive Power conducts preparatory work for demolition due to the lack of any legally supporting documents, according to the NGO statement.

The attempt to get comments from the executive power of the Yasamal district failed. -0-