Enemy Construction Teams Operating in the Berdadzor Metchashen Area, Says Nairi Hoghikyan

Journalist Nairi Hoghikyan has published photos on his Facebook page, stating: “The Azerbaijanis are rapidly continuing the construction of a new road that Armenia should connect with Artsakh. Currently, enemy construction teams are working in the area of the village of Berdadzor Metchashen, where several houses next to the road have also been demolished.

Today, I received a call from Metchashen resident, three-time Artsakh war participant, disabled veteran, and Knight of the Combat Cross, Varuzhan Nasibyan, who mentioned that his house is also under threat of demolition. However, he is still able to resist and prevent his property from being leveled to the ground.

Varuzhan says that if there is a prevailing public interest and the road must be built through Metchashen, he demands a new house to be constructed in the nearby permitted area of the same village instead of his demolished home. However, the responsible authorities are not providing any clear answers and do not guarantee that Varuzhan will not become another displaced person, this time not due to the enemy, but by the hands of his compatriots.

In Metchashen, five houses adjacent to the road are slated for demolition, located next to a 500-year-old church. Initially, the Azerbaijanis wanted to demolish the church and widen the road, but thanks to the local residents’ fight, it has been possible to preserve the structure. Instead, residential houses have suffered. Four houses have been demolished, and as a result of Varuzhan Nasibyan’s resistance, only his house remains standing.

Varuzhan specifically wants his new house in Metchashen instead of his demolition-threatened home. The Armenian side is rushing to demolish the houses and create favorable conditions for the construction of the new road. It is evident that there are deadlines related to the agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, once again at the expense of ordinary people.”