VIDEO: "Great Britain is an accomplice to Azerbaijan in the blockade of Artsakh," says Serj Tankian

American-Armenian rock musician and lead singer of "System of a Down," Serj Tankian, stated on BBC that Great Britain is an accomplice to Azerbaijan in the blockade of Artsakh. He urged London to use its influence over Baku to deliver humanitarian aid to the region.

“Many countries are now complicit in the blockade. Great Britain, for instance, is Azerbaijan’s largest investor. British Petroleum and its tankers have given Azerbaijan a significant advantage for supply to Europe,” Tankian said, noting that London has not criticized Azerbaijan due to the presence of English businesses in the country.

“I think it’s time for Great Britain to use its influence in Azerbaijan to help the people there before mass famine and genocide occur,” said the musician.

He also addressed the reasons for the international community's indifference towards the situation in Artsakh. “This is largely connected to the scale of 'caviar diplomacy' that Azerbaijan is implementing across Europe, including in Great Britain, Germany, and France,” he emphasized, also pointing out geopolitical interests and oil supplies from Azerbaijan to Europe. According to him, a substantial amount of Russian oil has been re-exported to Europe through Azerbaijani pipelines.

The musician reminded that earlier the International Court of Justice had issued two rulings calling on Baku to reopen the Lachin corridor, and human rights organizations along with many countries around the world have condemned Azerbaijan's actions. “The question is, are we ready to act, or will we allow another Armenian genocide to occur, this time in the 21st century?” Tankian stressed.

On August 13, Tankian declared that Artsakh has never legally belonged to Azerbaijan. He, along with other rock musicians, issued an open letter calling on the world to decisively intervene in the deepening humanitarian crisis in Artsakh and criticized organizations supporting the blockade for their inaction and empty talk.

On December 12, 2022, a group of Azerbaijanis, citing "environmental" reasons, blocked the Shushi-Karin Tak section of the Stepanakert-Goris highway, harming the vital interests and rights of the civilian population. As of today, the road remains closed.

At a meeting of the Security Council of Artsakh, a decision was made to appeal to the commander of the Russian peacekeeping contingent stationed in Artsakh, deeming the closure of the corridor unacceptable. Since June 15, Azerbaijan has prohibited humanitarian transport through the Lachin corridor.