Residents of Nagorno-Karabakh call on peacekeepers to ensure control over gas supply

Russian peacekeepers have begun negotiations with Azerbaijan to restore gas supply to Nagorno-Karabakh. Residents of the unrecognized republic note that all communications should be controlled by the Russian peacekeepers. Armenian human rights defenders call on international institutions to condemn Azerbaijan’s policy towards residents of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The “Caucasian Knot” has reported that on March 8, an accident occurred at the section of the Shushi-Zariflu gas pipeline, as a result of which the gas supply to Nagorno-Karabakh was stopped. On March 10, the Nagorno-Karabakh Ombudsperson announced humanitarian problems caused by the lack of the gas supply. On March 16, repairs of the gas pipeline began in the territory controlled by Azerbaijan. However, on March 22, the gas supply was stopped again.

The main gas pipeline to Nagorno-Karabakh should be under the control of the Armenian side, says Gevorg Arakelyan, a resident of Stepanakert.

Armenui Airiyan notes that “if the Russian peacekeeping forces have pledged to protect the Armenians of Artsakh, then let them fulfil their duties, regardless of the Baku’s claims.” According to the woman’s version, Azerbaijan is trying to discredit the Russia’s peacekeeping forces.

Teacher Asmik Arushanyan says that in Armenia, activists held rallies in support of Russia and Ukraine, but not the population of Nagorno-Karabakh.

Kristina Grigoryan and Gegam Stepanyan, Ombudspersons of Armenia and Nagorno-Karabakh, respectively, emphasize that the cut off of the gas supply has become “another method of pressure on the Armenians of Artsakh.”