Azerbaijani state apparatus continues to disseminate false scientific theses on international platforms – “Geghard” SAF

YEREVAN, JUNE 3, ARMENPRESS. “Geghard” Scientific and Analytical Foundation has issued a statement addressing the recent initiative of the Azerbaijani embassy in Poland, the opening of a photo exhibition entitled “The Christian Heritage of the Multicultural Identity of Azerbaijan.” “Geghard” emphasizes that the Azerbaijani state apparatus continues to disseminate false scientific theses on various international platforms.

The event was attended by ambassador Nargiz Gurbanova, Executive Director of the Baku International Multiculturalism Center Ravan Hasanov, Chairman of the Albanian-Udi Christian Community Robert Mobili, Chairman of the Christian Religious Community “Azerbaijan Bible Society” Rasim Khalilov, and others.

“The aforementioned persons are intensively involved in the violent appropriation of the Armenian heritage of Artsakh. In particular, R. Mobili, as the leader of the Udi community, repeatedly “directed” the Udi community to Dadivank, Amaras, and Tsitsernakavank to perform rituals following the Artsakh 44-day war.

“According to a number of international declarations and agreements (The Hague Protocols I and II of 1954, the Agreement on the Protection of Cultural Heritage of 2003, the Faro Convention of 2005, etc.), not only the destruction of monuments and vandalism of churches but also the erasing and changing of cultural identity are considered crimes.

“In the opening speech of the event, ambassador Nargiz Gurbanova spoke about the traditions of multiculturalism in Azerbaijan, noting: "Historically, in our country, representatives of different religions and peoples lived side by side, peacefully and harmoniously."

“What kind of peace and harmony is she talking about if, in the war of 2020, which was initiated by the ruling regime of Azerbaijan, civilian objects and civilians were mercilessly targeted, and the Azerbaijani dictatorship, with its “multicultural traditions,” kept 120,000 Armenians under blockade for about 10 months, exposing them to hunger, physical and psychological pressure?

“The authorities of this “tolerant” country, with the connivance of the great powers, subjected the civilian population to forcible deportation after the blockade and continue to appropriate the Armenian cultural heritage of Artsakh, playing their “peaceful and multicultural” role,” the statement reads.

"Geghard" Scientific and Analytical Foundation condemns the policy conducted by the Azerbaijani regime and urges international organizations and democratic countries to condemn Aliyev's dictatorial regime and prevent the destruction of Armenian cultural heritage.