Artsakh Has Been Under Blockade for Over 9 Months: This is Aliyev's Behavior, Elevating Himself Above God's Law - Levon Aronian

Levon Aronian has published an open letter addressed to the chess community. In the letter, the Armenian grandmaster addresses the situation in Artsakh and draws attention to the blockade of the region.

“Dear friends, I write to you with respect, confusion, and a desire to share my feelings with you. I write to you about what I think about every day, and I express myself in my native language, Russian, hoping that it will allow me to be clear,” wrote Aronian.

“The city of Stepanakert, where my close relatives live, and all of Artsakh have been under blockade for more than nine months. This means that practically no food is supplied there, including food necessary for the normal development of children, medicines, including those needed for elderly people with heart disease. The world is already beginning to utter the word ‘genocide.’ And this is in the 21st century.”

“The blockade is not due to necessity, strategic significance, or any other reason. It is generally difficult to mention the reason when ordinary people are deprived of the most essential things. First of all, food. And also gas and electricity.”

“I believe that ordinary Azerbaijanis do not need this blockade. This is just a part of the behavior of a person who elevates himself above God's law and universal morality. That person, who calls members of my nation dogs. This person's name is Ilham Aliyev.”

“I do not believe that human qualities are determined by nationality. There are bad people in all nations, and there are good people; this is a detail. But there are good people who remain silent because they are afraid of the bad ones. I am tired of remaining silent, and I believe that those who empathize and cannot watch 120,000 people starve to death are the majority.”

“I appeal to my fellow grandmasters: we have no right to justify what is happening with our silence. And I am sure that my Azerbaijani colleagues are not at all interested in the inhumane situation that Ilham Aliyev creates for the people of Artsakh,” Aronian wrote.

He also called for awakening: “We cannot allow, with our silence, something to happen for which humanity will be ashamed for centuries.” Aronian emphasized that they are obligated to speak about what has happened and try to reach those who can change this shameful situation.