YEREVAN, MAY 30, ARMENPRESS. The Foreign Ministry of Nagorno Karabakh has refuted the Azerbaijani absurd allegations which stated as if Islamic architectural monuments, which are located in the territory of NKR, are being used for military purposes.

The ministry’s statement reads: “The announcement of the Press Service Head of the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, which stated as if the Islamic architectural monuments in the Nagorno Karabakh territory are being used for military purposes, is another unsubstantiated and false accusation among many others. Azerbaijan, which has great experience in using religious monuments for military purposes, an evidence of which is the transformation of the Cathedral of Christ the Holy Savior into an weapons depot in 1992, is once again trying to attribute its conduct to Nagorno Karabakh.

There are numerous undeniable evidences, which prove Azerbaijan is deliberately and continuously destroying structures of Armenian cultural heritage not only across the entire Azerbaijani territory, but also in the occupied  Nagorno Karabakhi region of Shahumyan.

The most egregious act of vandalism is the destruction of a medieval Armenian cross-stone cemetery in Jugha (Julfa) Nakchijevan, and the construction of a shooting range on that very site in 2005.

Despite numerous international calls, the Azerbaijani side is not allowing international experts to visit the site of the cemetery until now, in order to avoid responsibility.

If indeed the Azerbaijani leadership is interested in researching historical and cultural monuments, and not just merely in political or propaganda goals, then we have the right to expect that the research works will start with visits to the occupied Shahumyan region of NKR and Nakhijevan.

Meanwhile, it is necessary to note that all architectural monuments across the Nagorno Karabakhi territory, regardless of origin, are enlisted in the history and culture list of NKR and are under state protection.

Nagorno Karabakh continuous to be open for international cooperation for protection and preservation of cultural and historic heritage, and expects the same open conduct from Azerbaijan”.