Who Were the Individuals That Passed Through the Checkpoint? The Minister of Artsakh Provides Clarifications

The Minister of Artsakh, Gurgen Nersisyan, commented on Azerbaijan's statement from yesterday, claiming that Armenian citizens are crossing their newly established checkpoint without restriction.

“Just when the process of transferring patients to medical facilities in Armenia through the ICRC's Stepanakert office has barely resumed, and several days of negotiations are necessary to organize each escort to ensure no civilians are abducted from vehicles bearing the ICRC emblem, Azerbaijan published information yesterday suggesting that Armenian citizens are freely passing through the checkpoint established on the Hakarri Bridge. Interestingly, Turkish media outlets also appeared at the same location at that time,” Nersisyan stated.

“In reality, however, the individuals who passed through the checkpoint were civilian service personnel from the Russian peacekeeping contingent in Artsakh. They were transported to the 'checkpoint' by the peacekeeping forces and their vehicles. Ahead of the UN Security Council meeting, Azerbaijan attempted to exploit this incident for yet another staged act.”

“Videos clearly show how the vehicles of the Russian peacekeepers are moving towards the Lachin Corridor from their deployment location on August 14, 2023, and how individuals are crossing into the Republic of Armenia from the peacekeepers' location at the 'checkpoint',” Nersisyan added.