Artsakh`s Cultural Ombudsman: Azerbaijan Destroyed an Old Armenian-Russian Cemetery in Occupied Shushi

ArmInfo. Azerbaijan has destroyed an old Armenian-Russian cemetery in occupied Shushi, where medieval Armenian khachkars, as well as 19th-century Armenian and Russian burial sites, remain. This was reported on the Facebook page of Artsakh's Cultural Heritage Ombudsman, Hovik Avanesov, citing satellite images published by Caucasus Heritage Watch (CHW).

As the human rights activist explained, the PlanetScope image archive allowed researchers to trace the gradual destruction of the cemetery, in particular by comparing satellite images from May 9, 11, and 14. "Azerbaijan continues its policy of systematically destroying Armenian historical and cultural heritage in the temporarily occupied Republic of Artsakh." "The next target was the historic old Armenian-Russian cemetery in Shushi, where medieval Armenian khachkars, as well as 19th-century Armenian and Russian burials, have been preserved," wrote the NKR Cultural Heritage Ombudsman. He noted that this can no longer be viewed as accidental damage, natural wear and tear, or the result of urban development. According to him, the consistent destruction of the cemetery grounds, the elimination of historical burial sites, and the physical disappearance of Armenian cultural traces indicate a deliberate policy of erasing cultural heritage. "Such an attitude toward the Armenian cemeteries of Shushi is not a new phenomenon. CHW has already documented the damage and destruction of a number of historic Armenian cemeteries in the city. These events indicate not simply a problematic attitude toward individual monuments, but a systematic process of erasing the historical memory and material evidence of the Armenian identity of this territory. A cemetery is not simply a collection of stones and tombstones." "This is a unique testimony to historical memory, family ties, the presence of the population, public life, culture, and community identity," Avanesov noted.

In this regard, the Artsakh Cultural Heritage Ombudsman noted that the destruction of historical cemeteries is aimed not only at eliminating individual monuments, but also at eliminating factual evidence confirming the centuries-old Armenian presence in the city and region.

The continued silence of the international community is particularly alarming, he said. "When international organizations limit themselves to general statements, and the destruction of historical monuments goes unanswered, this creates an atmosphere of impunity in which the destruction of cultural heritage can continue without real consequences." "Azerbaijan is obligated to immediately cease all actions against the Armenian historical and cultural heritage of Artsakh, ensure the preservation of historical monuments and cemeteries, allow independent international professional monitoring, and publicize real mechanisms for the protection of cultural heritage," the Ombudsman noted.

At the same time, Avanesov continued, the international community, in particular UNESCO and international organizations involved in the protection of cultural heritage, should no longer limit themselves to merely documenting the facts. "Every instance of destruction documented by satellite monitoring must receive a clear international assessment and entail legal and political consequences." "The destruction of the old Armenian-Russian cemetery in Shushi is another serious alarm signal indicating that Artsakh's Armenian cultural heritage continues to be under real and immediate threat," the NKR Cultural Heritage Ombudsman emphasized.

It should be noted that since the occupation of Artsakh, Azerbaijan has completely destroyed or significantly damaged the following cultural and religious sites. The Kanach Zham (Surb Hovhannes Mkrtich) Church in Shushi was completely destroyed in April 2024; the Ghazanchetsots Cemetery in Shushi was completely destroyed; the village of Karintak was completely bulldozed; and monuments and busts in Stepanakert, including those to Charles Aznavour, Hovhannes Aivazovsky, Hovhannes Tumanyan, and Marshal Baghramyan, were dismantled. The Marshal Khudyakov Museum in the village of Mets Tager was also destroyed. At the same time, Azerbaijan is pursuing a deliberate policy of not only destroying Artsakh's cultural heritage but also altering the architectural appearance of the occupied territories, thereby attempting to erase both the cultural memory of the Artsakh people and their desire to return to their lands.

Currently, approximately 4,000 Armenian cultural sites remain under Azerbaijani control, including more than 370 churches and 119 ancient fortresses.