Engineering Laboratories in Kashatagh and Karvachar Plundered: Computers and Robot Kits Stolen

Engineering laboratories operating in Kashatagh and Karvachar regions of Artsakh have been looted after the ceasefire. The theft was carried out by locals, as Azerbaijani forces have not entered these areas.

In an interview with Aravot.am, Sedrak Vardanyan, the project manager of the "Armat" engineering laboratories, stated that he had offered assistance to the Minister of Education of Artsakh, suggesting that they transport not only the laboratories' property but also school belongings to regions adjacent to Armenia.

"Our team leader in Karvachar had left the area before our arrival. A day prior to our visit, the team leader had gone to the laboratory and found that only a 3D printer and a CNC laser cutter remained. The computers and robot kit had been stolen," Vardanyan explained. He mentioned that what remained was likely not taken due to ignorance of its value.

Afterward, Sedrak Vardanyan, alongside his team, went to assess the situation. He described the school's condition as horrendous: "It seemed as if an external enemy had passed through, everything was broken, radiators damaged. We managed to save about 80% of the school's property—cabinets, tables, and chairs—transporting them to a school in Vardenis."

According to Vardanyan, six complete computers and a robot kit worth 730,000 drams had been stolen from the laboratory in Karvachar. He speculated that the thieves either would discard the items or attempt to sell them in parts to another laboratory.

They then visited the laboratories in Kashatagh. Before heading there, Vardanyan called the Berdzor administration to seek their assistance in protecting the property until they arrived. "I called, and they told me to consider it gone; only three police officers remained in all of Kashatagh. The laboratory in Moshatagh had just opened in the past two months, and we hadn’t even started working there; only two monitors remained, everything else had been looted. I told the villagers that I was willing to ensure free access to the laboratories for their children, and they should return the property. It had no effect. Seven complete computers had also been stolen from there."

The school furnishings, along with laboratory equipment for biology, physics, and chemistry, and all the books from the libraries were relocated to the Syunik region. Additionally, some equipment from the Berdzor Armat laboratory and the entire laboratory of the school in Hin Shen in the Shusha region was also moved to a safe location. Transportation to Hin Shen was challenging, with only Russian checkpoints present. I spoke with the school principal about the laboratory, but the population was minimal—only two people remained, and they were preparing to leave,” he added.

According to Vardanyan, there were 32 "Armat" laboratories in Artsakh, of which 11 now remain under the control of external enemies, while 2 have been looted by internal threats. "Imagine the buildings in Martakert and Martuni regions under heavy shelling; the borders of the villages in these regions have now changed, and it’s uncertain if people will return safely. For example, we had a laboratory in the village of Taghavard in Martuni. Half of Taghavard belongs to us, and the other half to the enemy; I learned that the school in Taghavard is now under Azerbaijani control. Who will live in these areas now? The Russian checkpoints are 8-10 kilometers apart from each other, and who will be in control in between? It’s very dangerous," he emphasized.

Vardanyan has not yet approached law enforcement officials regarding the issue, as he holds little hope for a positive outcome. "I know the result will be zero. But I hope this interview will serve as a notice of the crime to the police," he concluded.