Russian Messages Cause Certain Confusion, Says Tigran Abrahamyan

For several months now, the Russian peacekeeping contingent has been disseminating official messages about escorting pilgrims to Gandzasar and Amaras. This was stated by Tigran Abrahamyan, a former advisor to the president of Artsakh on security issues and a member of the 'Honorary' coalition, on his Facebook page.

He specifically noted: 'For a person who has not visited Artsakh since the war or does not have knowledge of the contact line with Azerbaijan, this message can create the impression that Gandzasar or the route leading there is either under Azerbaijani control or dangerous, which is why they are going there under the escort of peacekeepers. Although certain sections of the Stepanakert-Karmir Shuka-Amaras road pass close to Azerbaijani positions (not too close), there has been no official information regarding incidents in that area recently. By the way, there is another, safer way to reach Amaras. It can be accessed via the Stepanakert-Nngit-Jratar route. In short, the relevant agencies in Artsakh need to work with Russian peacekeepers to explain that their messages are causing certain confusion, which in turn may instill fear and concerns among tourists coming to Artsakh.'