Peaceful protest of Azerbaijani activists on Lachin road continues

Peaceful protest action by the Azerbaijani eco-activists in the zone of temporary deployment of the Russian peacekeeping contingent continues.

The protesters chant slogans like "Put an end to eco-terror," and "Put an end to environmental crimes!" Trend reports from the scene.

Representatives of Azerbaijani non-governmental organizations (NGOs) are holding a protest in the vicinity of Shusha city, near a Russian peacekeepers' post, against their refusal to allow Azerbaijani specialists to enter the territory to conduct monitoring related to the illegal exploitation of Azerbaijani mineral resources.

Following the talks held with the commanders of the Russian peacekeeping contingent on December 3 and 7, 2022, a group of specialists from the ministries of economy, ecology and natural resources, the State Committee on Property Issues and the country’s mining company AzerGold were to start preliminary monitoring of the situation with regard to illegal exploitation of mineral deposits and the environmental and other consequences arising in the territory of Azerbaijan on December 10.

There were plans to inspect mineral deposits, in particular the Gizilbulag gold deposit and the Damirli copper-molybdenum deposit, to monitor in various directions, to organise cadastral registration of property, and to assess potential damage and risks to the environment, groundwater and surface water sources. However, despite the team arriving at the monitoring area accompanied by Russian peacekeepers, it encountered provocations in both directions. Thus, the intended initial inspection and monitoring did not take place because the Russian peacekeepers not only failed to create the necessary conditions but also participated in the deliberate disruption of the process.