Azeri falsification campaign targets Armenia’s Zorats Karer

YEREVAN, AUGUST 10, ARMENPRESS. Azerbaijan continues to promote the false concept of "Western Azerbaijan" through state channels, this time targeting both Azerbaijani and foreign youth living abroad, the Geghard Scientific Foundation has warned.

"On August 6, as part of the "Fifth Summer Camp for Diaspora Youth" in Berdzor, which brought together around 115 young people from 60 countries, a meeting was held between the leadership of the "Western Azerbaijan Community" organization and the camp participants.

"This was another event organized by the Heydar Aliyev Foundation and the State Committee on Work with Diaspora of the Republic of Azerbaijan. During the meeting, members of the 'Western Azerbaijan Community' organization spoke about Azerbaijan's overt claims towards the territory of the Republic of Armenia and the false thesis of 'Western Azerbaijan'. The event featured a documentary film 'A Close Look at Western Azerbaijan' and a slideshow of photographs where historical and architectural monuments and natural landscapes of the Republic of Armenia were falsely presented as 'ancient Azerbaijani'.

"Among other monuments, the "Zorats Karer settlement" historical-cultural reserve located in the Sisian region is also falsely presented as a "monument located in the territory of ancient Azerbaijan."

"Azerbaijani state propaganda is not limited to the usurpation of Armenian heritage; it also includes the cultural heritage of the Iranian province of Azerbaijan.

"Azerbaijan's policy of falsifying and appropriating the identity of the region's heritage is aimed at legitimizing Azerbaijan's claims to the Republic of Armenia and the region in general.

"Azerbaijan's appropriation and distortion of Armenian cultural heritage and expansionist policy pose a threat to the Armenian people and the Republic of Armenia. The Azerbaijani authorities specifically target the younger generation, indoctrinating them with anti-Armenian, distorted perceptions about the region's history and culture. They organize events designed to "brainwash" the youth.

"The organization of such events and the involvement of young people in them demonstrate that the Azerbaijani state is committed to ensuring the generational continuity of its anti-Armenian policy," the organization said in a statement.