YEREVAN, SEPTEMBER 2, ARMENPRESS. The BBC has interviewed Armenian-American musician, System of a Down frontman Serj Tankian and Nagorno-Karabakh’s ex-ombudsman Artak Beglaryan on the humanitarian crisis in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Tankian and Beglaryan spoke about the blockade of Lachin Corridor and the humanitarian crisis resulting from the illegal actions of the government of Azerbaijan.

Tankian warned that the government of Azerbaijan is bribing European legislators to achieve its goal, referring to the infamous Caviar Diplomacy, and that Baku is taking advantage of its oil supplies.

Beglaryan said that the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict has a geopolitical subtext and that ever since the conflict between Russia and the West worsened the Nagorno-Karabakhis became the collateral victims of that conflict.

Tankian said that the UK has economic interests in Azerbaijan, particularly the British Petroleum, and that’s why the UK is not calling out Azerbaijan. He called on the British government to use its influence on Azerbaijan and prevent the genocide and starvation in Nagorno-Karabakh.

Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh to Armenia and the rest of the world, has been blocked by Azerbaijan since late 2022. The Azerbaijani blockade constitutes a gross violation of the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh ceasefire agreement, which established that the 5km-wide Lachin Corridor shall be under the control of Russian peacekeepers. Furthermore, on February 22, 2023 the United Nations’ highest court – the International Court of Justice (ICJ) - ordered Azerbaijan to “take all steps at its disposal” to ensure unimpeded movement of persons, vehicles and cargo along the Lachin Corridor in both directions.  Azerbaijan has been ignoring the order ever since. The ICJ reaffirmed its order on 6 July 2023.

Azerbaijan then illegally installed a checkpoint on Lachin Corridor. The blockade has led to shortages of essential products such as food and medication. Azerbaijan has also cut off gas and power supply into Nagorno Karabakh, with officials warning that Baku seeks to commit ethnic cleansing against Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh. Hospitals have suspended normal operations.