Threats from Baku: If Presidential Elections Proceed, Force Will Be Used, Says Babayan

Samvel Babayan, the president of the United Homeland Party, has released a statement noting:

“I find it necessary to inform that late yesterday evening, a consultation took place involving the acting President and political forces, during which I was asked to refrain from a political action. As I was informed, contacts have been made from Baku with them, threatening that if the presidential elections are conducted, they will resort to force.

Not fully confident that I was being provided with complete information, I made the decision not to hold the action, in order to prevent any possible undesirable developments from being attributed to the 'adventurism' of the United Homeland Party.

Having comprehensively evaluated the internal and external political environment, I declare that the entire weight of Artsakh’s fate will now be borne by the 22 deputies who are guided by foreign influence and interests, their proposed and elected president, and the godfathers of this process,” Babayan's statement reads.

It is noteworthy that Samvel Shahramanyan has been elected as President of the Republic of Artsakh. A total of 23 deputies participated in the secret ballot, with 22 voting in favor and 1 against.