Destruction of churches in Artsakh is barbarism and a violation of obligations: Vitaly Milonov

Vitaly Milonov, State Duma deputy, commented to Alpha News on reports that Azerbaijanis have destroyed churches in Stepanakert.

“This is undoubtedly a barbaric act. I can say with absolute certainty: no place of worship should be destroyed under any circumstances. It is outright barbarism and a violation of the obligations undertaken. When the joint Turkish-Azerbaijani coalition, with the support of Israeli weapons, began to conquer and occupy Artsakh, I repeatedly heard assurances that all religious sites would be guaranteed safety. However, we see that this is not the case,” the deputy said.

According to him, in a number of regions, such barbarism has already become a pattern that must be stopped.

“One would hope that those who currently have influence, international structures, would call on the Azerbaijani side to immediately stop this barbarism. Unfortunately, we see that it has become a pattern. In some regions, an Israeli soldier smashed a statue of the Savior; here, churches are being destroyed. Churches are certainly not to blame, no matter how one may feel about anyone. But whoever destroys a church ultimately destroys themselves, and in the end, it will all come back to them,” Milonov said.