Azerbaijanis' protest on Khankendi-Lachin road lasts 43 days

Despite the frosty weather, the Khankendi-Lachin road protest against the illegal exploitation of mineral deposits in Azerbaijan's Karabakh economic region has been ongoing for 43 days. Environmental activists are very active.

The protest that began on the morning of December 12, 2022, continued on the night of January 23. The protesters show high activity, will and perseverance, a Report correspondent informs from the scene.

They are provided with hot meals and a place to stay overnight. Safety rules are observed during the protest, no incidents were recorded last night.

Eco-activists traditionally started the day with the performance of Azerbaijan's national anthem and patriotic songs.

Volunteers and activists taking part in the demonstrations chant slogans such as: "Azerbaijan owns its minerals!", "End environmental crimes!", "Stop eco terror!", "Take care of nature!", "No Ecocide!" Yes to monitoring." They invariably call for an end to environmental terror in Azerbaijan's Karabakh economic region.

As a result of negotiations held on December 3 and 7, 2022, with the Russian peacekeeping command, a delegation consisting of specialists from the economy, ecology and natural resources ministries, the State Service for Property Issues under the Economy Ministry and the AzerGold closed-type joint stock company had to conduct preliminary monitoring of the illegal exploitation of mineral deposits on the territory of Azerbaijan, where peacekeepers are temporarily deployed, as well as related environmental and other problems. However, due to the inaction of the peacekeepers, monitoring did not take place.

On December 12, 2022, Azerbaijani eco-activists, volunteers and representatives of civil society began a peaceful protest demanding an end to environmental terrorism, to stop the illegal exploitation of the country's mineral deposits.