Protest of Azerbaijani eco-activists on Lachin road enters 44th day

Despite the frosty weather, the protest on the Khankendi-Lachin road against the illegal exploitation of minerals in Azerbaijan's Karabakh economic region has been going on for 44 days.

The action that began on the morning of December 12 last year continued on the night of January 24. The demonstrators continue to show high activity, will and perseverance, a Report correspondent informs from the scene.

The protesters are provided with hot meals and a place to stay overnight. Safety rules are observed during the demonstrations, no incidents were recorded during the night.

Volunteers and activists taking part in the demonstrations, without interfering with the movement of vehicles in both directions, chant slogans: "Azerbaijan is the owner of its minerals!", "End to environmental crimes!", "Stop eco terror!", "Take care of nature!", "No Ecocide! Yes to monitoring." They invariably demand an end to environmental terror in the Karabakh economic region.

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, and Ecology and Natural Resources of Azerbaijan, the State Property Service under the Ministry of Economy and AzerGold Company was to conduct 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 leading eco-activists, civil society members, and volunteers to gather on the Khankendi-Lachin road for protesting illegal mining activities in the Azerbaijani lands.