Azerbaijanis remove cross from Vankasar Church in Artsakh

Photos published in Azerbaijani social media show that the cross was removed from Vankasar Church in the Martakert region of Artsakh, reports Ombudsman of Culture of Hayk Hovik Avanesov, noting that the Azerbaijani state propaganda machine once again claims that the church is “Albanian”.

“This fact once again shows that Azerbaijan is committing cultural genocide in occupied Artsakh at the state level,” Avanesov said.

The Vankasar Church is a 7th-century church built on the top of Tigranakert hill. In 1986, the church underwent restoration by Azerbaijan in order to “albanize” it. Azerbaijanis destroyed the khachkars, Armenian inscriptions and carvings.