Head of Caucasian muslims briefs Pope Francis on real situation on Lachin-Khankendi road

The civil protest against the plundering of Azerbaijan’s natural resources and the harming of the environment is being held in a peaceful manner and does not prevent the movement along the Lachin-Khankendi road.

According to Report, this was stated in a letter addressed to Pope Francis of the Catholic Church, written by the Chairman of the Caucasian Muslims Office, Sheikh Allahshukur Pashazade.

The following is a fragment from the lengthy letter:

"The truth is, that research points to the illegal exploitation works are being carried out at the 'Gizilbulag' gold mine and 'Demirli' copper-molybdenum mine in those regions of Karabakh, that are under the temporary responsibility of the Russian peacekeepers. Currently, protesters are demanding a proper inspection of the deposits, a halt to illegal exploitation and to be allowed monitoring and conducting inventory in various directions to evaluate potential environmental risks and address the consequences of damage”.

He further wrote, that the accusation against the Azerbaijani protesters of causing a humanitarian crisis in the region is not truthful and pointed to various video recordings, which show the undisrupted movement of civilian vehicles along the road. Pashazade also informed the Pope of the opening of a hotline for Armenian citizens of Azerbaijan to call if they should require any help.

“The real problem is that this humanitarian road is being exploited for the transport of weapons, military cargo, and mines to the Armenian separatists in Karabakh. It is no coincidence that nearly 300 civilian Azerbaijani citizens have been affected by newly buried landmines - either killed or disabled for life - after the signing of the trilateral peace agreement. In recent times, 350 Armenian-made mines with a production date of 2021 have been discovered in our lands.

By introducing these realities to you, which are basing themselves on the criteria of justice, we, therefore, ask you to help us in our peaceful and just cause. Spare no effort and prayers for sustainable peace in our region!”.

Sheikh Pashazade also made use of the opportunity to congratulate the leader of the Catholic church on the upcoming Christmas holiday, wishing him and his followers all the best. “May the Highness protect the Earth and humanity from harm, grant peace and prosperity to our world! Amin!”