Azerbaijanis Restrict Access to Davitank for Pilgrims and Clergy

On February 7, on the day of Kirak, at 8:00 AM, a group of pilgrims from Stepanakert's Veratsnnnd near the Republic of Armenia was accompanied by Russian peacekeeping forces as they headed to Davitank. The group included clergy who were to transfer a religious icon titled "The Descent into Hell" from the St. Hakob Church in Stepanakert, which had been sent by the artist Zhanna Khlghatyann from Yerevan. Interestingly, the artist had initially intended for the icon to be delivered to the Surb Ghazanchetsots Church in Shushi, but following recent developments, she requested that it be delivered to Davitank.

After a lengthy journey, the group approached the Azerbaijani checkpoint located near the monastic complex. According to previous agreements, the group was supposed to enter Davitank; however, the Azerbaijanis categorically denied them entry, claiming they were not registered as part of the group. Russian peacekeepers and representatives of the pilgrims repeatedly stated that everything had been coordinated, and everyone was indeed registered, yet the Azerbaijani authorities remained adamant.

Ultimately, the pilgrims were forced to return to Getavan and await clarifications. After waiting for three hours and receiving no updates, Russian peacekeepers once again escorted the group to Davitank, but there they encountered yet another delay, as the Azerbaijani officials refused to open the route, stating they had received orders to deny entry not only to the pilgrims but also to the clergy members who arrived for duty.

Following a series of altercations, the group had no choice but to return to Stepanakert. The pilgrims requested the Russian peacekeeping forces to deliver the icon to Davitank. Local authorities in Artsakh are planning to bring the issue to the relevant agencies. What new orders and conditions the Azerbaijanis have regarding Davitank, of which Russian peacekeeping forces are unaware, or whether this situation was a deliberate provocation, remains to be seen, writes the "Azat Artsakh" publication.