YEREVAN, OCTOBER 7, ARMENPRESS. The Armenian community representatives of Norway will hold protests on October 7 and 8 against the ongoing Turkey-backed Azerbaijani aggression on the Republic of Artsakh.

The first protest, titled ‘Solidarity with Armenia and Artsakh’, will be held on October 7, and the second one – Protest against Azerbaijani aggression, will take place on October 8 outside the Norway Parliament.

Narine Harutyunyan, chair of the Armenian church community of Norway, told Armenpress that there will be a set number of participants in the protest due to the novel coronavirus (COVIUD-19).

“The rally will take place at a time when the members of the foreign affairs and defense committee of Norway meet. We expect that they will not stay indifferent and will react to the Armenian community representatives, with this showing their support to the people of Armenia and Artsakh who seek peace. The mercenaries by Azerbaijan and Turkey have attacked and are trying to deport a nation who has lived and created on that land for centuries”, she said.

The protest aims at drawing the attention of the Kingdom of Norway on what is happening in Artsakh for already 10 days. Before the protest Narine Harutyunyan and head of the culture community Liana Harutyunyan have addressed a call-letter to the prime minister of Norway, asking to make a statement, strongly condemn the Azerbaijani aggression, urge Baku to stop all attacks and sit around the negotiation table.

Harutyunyan said the Armenian community expects that Norway will support Armenia in the Council of Europe and other international organizations, seeking sanctions against Azerbaijan and Turkey.

“The local media keep silence on the Azerbaijani-Turkish aggression which kills not only soldiers, but also civilian population”, she said, adding that the Azerbaijani terrorism must be stopped.

Narine Harutyunyan also informed that the Armenian church community is organizing a fundraising to assist the Hayastan All Armenian Fund and the Military Insurance Fund to overcome this war situation.

On September 27, 2020, Azerbaijan launched a large-scale attack against the Republic of Artsakh (Nagorno Karabgakh), targeting also the civilian settlements, including the capital Stepanakert and the city of Shushi. In addition, the Azerbaijani armed forces have also targeted Armenia’s military and civilian infrastructures.

21 civilians in Artsakh and Armenia were killed, 80 were wounded as a result of the Azerbaijani aggression.

240 servicemen and volunteers have been killed in Artsakh from the Azerbaijani attacks.

Editing and Translating by Aneta Harutyunyan