Azerbaijani demonstrators demanding end to eco-terrorism for 98 days on Khankendi-Lachin road PHOTO

The protest action on the Khankendi-Lachin road against the illegal exploitation of mineral deposits in the Karabakh economic region of Azerbaijan has been going on for 98 days.

Eco-activists, as in the first days of the demonstrations, are very active. They invariably demand an end to ecological terror in the Azerbaijani territories.

According to Report's employee from the scene, the rally, which began on the morning of December 12 last year, continued on the night of March 19. Participants of the action demonstrate firm will and perseverance.

During the action, safety rules are observed, no incidents were recorded during the night.

Eco-activists traditionally started the day with the performance of the National Anthem of Azerbaijan.

Volunteers and NGO representatives taking part in the action, without interfering with the movement of vehicles in both directions, chant slogans: “Azerbaijan is the owner of its mineral resources!”, “End environmental crimes!”, “Stop eco-terror!”, “Protect nature!”, “No Ecocide! Yes to monitoring.

The security of the action participants at a high level is ensured by the servicemen of the Internal Troops of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Azerbaijan and the police attracted to the territory.

To recall, as a result of negotiations held on December 3 and 7, 2022 with the command of the Russian peacekeeping contingent, a delegation consisting of specialists from the Ministries of Economy, Ecology and Natural Resources, the State Property Service under the Ministry of Economy and AzerGold Closed Joint-Stock Company was to conduct a preliminary monitoring of the illegal exploitation of mineral deposits in the territory of Azerbaijan, where peacekeepers are temporarily stationed, as well as related environmental and other problems. However, due to the inaction of the peacekeepers, the monitoring did not take place.

On December 12, 2022, Azerbaijani environmental activists, volunteers and representatives of civil society launched a peaceful protest demanding to put an end to environmental terrorism and stop the illegal exploitation of mineral deposits.