Nagorno-Karabakh to no longer exist as institutions set to dissolve

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
28 Sep 2023 10:56
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The President of the unrecognized Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), Samvel Shahramanyan, signed a decree that will dissolve all government institutions across the republic and the it will cease to exist.

Ethnic Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh sit in a truck on their way to Goris in Syunik region, Armenia, on Tuesday, Sept. 26, 2023. (AP)

The President of the unrecognized Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh), Samvel Shahramanyan, signed Thursday a decree that dictates the termination of the existence of the republic he heads.

"Based on the priority of ensuring the physical security and vital interests of the people of Karabakh, taking into account the agreement reached through the mediation of the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent with representatives of Azerbaijan that free, voluntary, and unimpeded passage of residents of Nagorno-Karabakh, including military personnel who have laid down their arms, with their property is ensured on their vehicles along the Lachin corridor ... a decision was made: to dissolve all state institutions and organizations under their departmental subordination until January 1, 2024," the decree read.

The decree added that subsequently, "the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) ceases to exist."

According to reports, the decree is set to take effect immediately after publication.

According to CNN, nearly half of the population of Nagorno-Karabakh has fled while others are attempting to make their way through the Lanchin corridor as Reuters dubbs the situation an exodus.

The authorities in Nagorno-Karabakh stated that more than 50,000 ethnic Armenians, out of a population of about 120,000 people residing in the region, have already left in what is described as forced displacement.

In turn, Azeri officials have refuted Armenian accusation of ethnic cleansing, however, images, videos, and messages of thousands exiting the landlocked region through the only existing corridor has provoked "widespread international alarm," according to Reuters.

Aliyev says Baku fully restored 'sovereignty'

Azerbaijan's President Ilham Aliyev stated earlier on Monday that the country had fully restored its sovereignty just five days ago and expressed confidence in the successful reintegration of Nagorno-Karabakh Armenians into Azerbaijani society.

"If three years ago, as a result of the second Karabakh war, we put an end to the occupation, on April 23 we completely restored our territorial integrity by establishing a border checkpoint on the Azerbaijani-Armenian border in the direction of Lachin. Five days ago we fully secured and restored our sovereignty. As a result of the anti-terrorist activities carried out in less than 24 hours, the Armenian army, which was illegally on the territory of Azerbaijan, surrendered, accepted our conditions and, so, Azerbaijan fully secured its sovereignty," he said during a joint press conference with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Nakhchivan.

The president also expressed optimism about the reintegration process of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh into Azerbaijani society.

After Azerbaijan began conducting military actions in Nagorno-Karabakh on September 19, the Armenian government reported on Monday that around 3,000 people had entered Armenia from the contested region.