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Maria Zakharova, the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia, claimed during the October 16 briefing that the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh “had and have the opportunity to return to their homes.”
“We have repeatedly emphasized Baku’s constructive steps aimed at providing the opportunity for the return of the population who left their native places. ․․․ I would like to emphasize once again that the opportunity to return was provided, there was and is an opportunity to return. If people are interested in keeping their homes, native places, they should probably take advantage of that opportunity. I will emphasize once again that it exists,” said the representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry.
Then, Zakharova left unanswered the journalist’s observation that “he is not sure if there is such a possibility, because forcibly displaced Armenians do not trust Azerbaijan with their security”. Instead, the representative of the Foreign Ministry referred to the actions of the authorities of the Republic of Armenia in that direction.
The Fact Investigation Platform has looked into a number of important circumstances and events that make the return of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians impossible under the current circumstances.
Being silent about ethnic cleansing
While making confident claims about the possibility of return of Armenians to Nagorno-Karabakh, the representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry carefully avoids the fact of their forced displacement. Moreover, in the January 12, 2024 briefing, Zakharova claimed that “there is no evidence that Azerbaijan carried out ethnic cleansing” in Nagorno-Karabakh.
“As for the claims of ethnic cleansing in Karabakh, it would be desirable to see facts. If there is at least any document by any international organization that is considered reputable in Yerevan, for example, the United Nations or any other organization … if there is at least one document or some statement that would testify that such ethnic cleansing took place, please provide references,” she said months ago.
Back then, FIP.am referred to Zakharova’s claims, presenting in detail evidence confirming the fact that ethnic cleansing did take place in NK, and relevant reports by international organizations, political and humanitarian response of individual countries.
In fact, Zakharova does not refer to the main reason why Armenians left their homes, but makes a manipulative claim about the possibility of their return.
Early withdrawal of peacekeepers
When referring to the return of Armenians, the next important circumstance that the representative of the Russian Foreign Ministry avoids to address is the early withdrawal of the Russian peacekeeping forces from Nagorno-Karabakh, which were there to ensure the safety of Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh.
Clause 4 of the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020 reads: “The peacekeeping contingent of the Russian Federation shall be deployed in parallel with the withdrawal of the Armenian Armed Forces. The peacekeeping contingent of the Russian Federation shall stay for a period of 5 years, with further automatic 5-year extensions, where 6 months prior to the expiry of the time period none of the Parties declares of its intention to terminate the application of the provision.“
However, despite the fact that the Russian contingent was supposed to leave only in 2025 in case of objection from one of the parties, the withdrawal of troops started and was completed in the spring of 2024.
It is noteworthy that the Azerbaijani aggression that caused ethnic cleansing in Nagorno-Karabakh took place in the presence of Russian peacekeepers. In spite of their commitments, the peacekeepers did not take any action to protect the civilian population in Artsakh from Azerbaijani aggression.
In fact, Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians were exposed to aggression by Azerbaijan in the presence of peacekeepers and under the circumstances of security guarantees promised to them by the Russian Federation. While speaking about the possibility of return, Zakharova avoids addressing the fact that Russian troops withdrew from Nagorno-Karabakh and there was complete absence of any security guarantee.
Baku’s “constructive steps”
After the ethnic cleansing of Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh, Baku systematically destroys not only the Armenian historical and cultural heritage, but also the property and possessions of the Armenians.
There are a number of Azerbaijani social media posts that testify to this claim.
Bellingcat conducted an extensive investigation into the damage and destruction of Armenian property and possessions, showing the destruction of residential buildings in Stepanakert, the capital of Nagorno-Karabakh, as well as mounds of goods belonging to Armenians in the courtyards of the buildings.
The fact-finding report of a number of international and Armenian human rights organizations entitled “Why There are No Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh?” also refers to the destroyed homes of Armenians, which often cover an entire settlement.
The satellite photos presented in the report show the villages of Karin Tak and Sghnakh, among other Armenian settlements, that have been completely destroyed.
In fact, Zakharova ignores Baku’s systematic policy of destroying the property of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh, claiming that Azerbaijan is taking constructive steps for Armenians to return to their homes.
Nane Manasyan
