Azerbaijan counts over 400 destroyed monuments in Nagorno-Karabakh

More than 400 out of approximately 3000 cultural monuments located in the territories of Nagorno-Karabakh that passed under Azerbaijan's control, have been destroyed; and many historical artefacts have been taken to Armenia, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has stated.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that after the end of hostilities in Karabakh, the parties to the conflict have blamed each other of acts of vandalism committed in the disputed territories. In particular, Armenian authorities have announced the appearance of graffiti on the walls of the cathedral in Shusha, while Baku has accused Armenians of desecrating and destroying Muslim cemeteries and mosques.

"Azerbaijan is again expressing its serious concern over the destruction of cultural heritage by Armenia in the liberated territories. During the occupation of our territories, almost all historical, cultural and religious monuments were completely destroyed," the "haqqin.az" quotes the Azeri MFA as stating.

Thus, "the cultural artefacts and ancient manuscripts of the 13th century Khudaveng Monastery in the Kelbadjar District, as well as valuable exhibits found during excavations near the Shakhbulag Fortress in the Agdam District, had been smuggled to Armenia."

Let us remind you that on March 25, the Karabakh authorities also claimed the need to protect the Armenian monuments located in the territories that had passed under Azerbaijan's control.

The territories that have come under Baku's control contain up to 2000 monuments of Armenian history and culture, including 161 monasteries and churches, as well as numerous fortresses, the office of the Nagorno-Karabakh's Ombudsperson has stated.