Monument specialists witnessed annihilation of Armenian monuments in Turkey

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 3, ARMENPRESS: The other day in the neighborhood of Aghtamar Island, Van, an expedition group of monument specialists witnessed several scenes of puling down and ruining Armenian cross-stones and temples, head of the expedition group Samvel Karapetyan said today at a meeting with journalists. “After several years there will not be even remain from Armenian monuments. The horrible scenes we witnessed were its evidence,” Mr. Karapetyan said.

According to him, the expedition group (16 members) visited Saint Tovma, Shakhura temples, walked around in Divabuyn and Inkyoy villages and other regions, which used to be Armenian settlements. What the expedition group saw in Shakhura and temple of Divabuyn, according to Mr. Karapetyan, deeply shocked them. “A group of half Kurd-half Turk people who were in dusty clothes and equipped with spades presented themselves as guards. There were small bits of cross-stones everywhere, and an enormous gulf was dug in the temple,” the monument specialist said, adding that there were tents of gourds in the neighborhood, ensured with food and warm clothes, which proved about non-interrupted work at night hours.

“Seeing us they got confused. Understanding that we do not have translator of the Kurdish language, they started speaking exclusively Kurdish” Mr. Karapetyan noted. In his opinion, these activities could hardly be used with disagreement of the community head, which means that there is state sponsorship.

“The cross-stones with Armenian protocols were turned into small bits; they even expected to find “Armenian gold” in them. Returning Mr. Karapetyan immediately formed a report and presented to the Armenian Culture Ministry, as the group had succeeded to implement certain screenings. “I think the government will make use of those screenings and photos as evidence when need be,” Mr. Karapetyan said.