Caucasus expert: New cases of vandalism are recorded every day

In Artsakh, occupied by Azerbaijan, the policy of appropriating Armenian cultural heritage continues at a state level. Caucasus Expert Hovik Avanesov made a Facebook post on this.

“New cases of vandalism are recorded every day. Churches and khachkars (Armenian cross-stones) — presented as Albanian heritage — are facing this policy as well. The clear proof of the above is the complete destruction of Jugha khachkars. Representatives of the “Albanian-Udi” community of Azerbaijan have desecrated and destroyed the unique pit of the Armenian Church of Tsitsernavank in Kashatagh Province of Artsakh,” Avanesov said, adding that the Spitak Khach Monastery, located in Vank village, northwest of the town of Hadrut in the Republic of Artsakh has also been vandalized. 

“All this once again goes to prove that Azerbaijan is obliterating the Armenian traces in Artsakh at the state level. According to Article 4 of The Hague 1954 Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict, any form of theft, pillage or misappropriation of, and any acts of vandalism directed against, cultural property is prohibited,” Avanesov noted.