2024-04-03 00:36:12
RFE/RL’s Armenian service – Azatutyu presented as the “human rights ombudsman” of Karabakh Gegham Stepanian He rejected Moscow’s offer to support the return of Armenians who left Karabakh after Russia’s special operation in Azerbaijan last September.
Stepanyan said at a press conference in Yerevan that even if Moscow gives them additional security guarantees, they will not return:
“I believe that international guarantees are needed instead. Experience has shown that the Russian peacekeeping contingent deployed in Artsakh (Karabakh-red) after 2020 is not enough to ensure security in Artsakh (Karabakh-red).
Armenia criticized Russian peacekeepers for not preventing or stopping Azerbaijan’s September 19-20 operation.
After Baku completely restored control over the region, almost the entire population of Karabakh migrated to Armenia.
President of Russia Vladimir Putin and other Russian officials rejected Armenia’s accusations.
Resentment of separatists from Moscow
Spokesman of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Maria Zakharova on February 14, he said that Moscow is discussing with Baku the issue of returning Karabakh Armenians to their homes.
Earlier this week, the Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Mikhail Galuzin also called for the “creation of conditions” for the return of Karabakh Armenians.
Stepanyan said that “first of all, Russian peacekeepers should have witnessed the migration of people under the threat of physical destruction.”
Azatutyun writes that there is no official information that Moscow has discussed any repatriation with the separatist leaders.
It is also emphasized that Moscow did not prevent the arrest of 8 separatist leaders and their transfer to Baku.
Freedom radio