Listen to the article
Caucasus Muslims Office Calls Armenian Church’s Claims on Building Demolition “Disinformation”
Azerbaijan’s Caucasus Muslims Office (CMO) has condemned recent statements by the Echmiadzin Church regarding the demolition of two structures in Khankendi as “disinformation and an expression of hostility” amid delicate normalization efforts between Azerbaijan and Armenia.
In an official statement released this week, the CMO characterized the Armenian Church’s accusations as a deliberate attempt to politicize the situation and inflame tensions during a critical period of regional diplomacy.
“At a sensitive time when the normalization process between the two countries is underway, baseless accusations against Azerbaijan by Echmiadzin, which has remained silent about the destruction and insult of historical, religious and cultural monuments of Azerbaijan for decades during the occupation, is a failed attempt to politicize the issue,” the statement reads.
The controversy centers on two buildings in Khankendi (known as Stepanakert by Armenians), a city that was under Armenian control until Azerbaijan restored its sovereignty over the Karabakh region in September 2023 following a brief military operation. According to the CMO, these structures were built illegally during the Armenian occupation of Azerbaijan’s territories and do not constitute protected religious or cultural heritage.
The CMO explained that the demolition came in response to appeals from displaced Azerbaijanis who have begun returning to their former homes. These citizens have petitioned state authorities and local courts to remove structures built during the occupation period, which they view as painful symbols of displacement and conflict.
“It is known that, according to international humanitarian law, structures built by an occupying power in an occupied territory without consent are considered illegal, regardless of their purpose,” the CMO statement noted, adding that such buildings “must be demolished at the expense of the occupying power.”
The dispute highlights the ongoing tensions in the aftermath of the decades-long conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh. The region, internationally recognized as Azerbaijani territory, had been under ethnic Armenian control since the early 1990s until Azerbaijan regained full control last year.
In its statement, the CMO emphasized Azerbaijan’s track record of religious tolerance, pointing out that the country is “one of the rare places where mosques, churches and synagogues are located side by side.” The organization highlighted that various religious communities, including Orthodox Christians, Catholics, and Jews, have operated freely in Azerbaijan for centuries.
The CMO further noted Azerbaijan’s commitment to preserving genuine historical sites, including the recent restoration of the Armenian Gazanchi Church in Shusha and the continued protection of the Armenian Church in Baku throughout the conflict period.
The controversy comes at a particularly sensitive moment as Azerbaijan and Armenia attempt to negotiate a comprehensive peace agreement following the 2020 and 2023 conflicts. The two countries have engaged in multiple rounds of talks mediated by various international actors, though progress has been hampered by lingering disputes over border demarcation, transportation links, and allegations of rights violations.
Regional analysts note that religious sites and cultural heritage have become increasingly politicized flashpoints in the conflict’s aftermath. International organizations, including UNESCO, have expressed concern about the preservation of cultural heritage in the region, though access to many sites remains limited.
The CMO concluded its statement by urging the Echmiadzin Church to cease what it describes as efforts to “distort realities in Azerbaijan,” warning that such actions “serve only to undermine regional peace efforts and should be stopped.”
Neither the Echmiadzin Church nor Armenian officials had issued a formal response to the CMO’s statement at the time of reporting.
Fact Checker
Verify the accuracy of this article using The Disinformation Commission analysis and real-time sources.
9 Comments
The allegations of disinformation from both sides underscore the challenges in resolving sensitive issues between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Maintaining open lines of communication and a commitment to truth and reconciliation will be crucial as they work to normalize relations.
This situation highlights the complexities of the ongoing normalization process between Azerbaijan and Armenia. While the demolition claims are serious, the accusations of disinformation suggest a need for more neutral fact-finding to understand the full context.
Disputes over religious and cultural sites can be highly emotive, but it’s important to avoid further inflaming tensions at this delicate stage of the normalization efforts. A dispassionate, impartial investigation may help uncover the facts and identify a path forward that respects the concerns of all parties.
This dispute over the demolition of structures in Khankendi/Stepanakert illustrates the difficulties in addressing grievances from the past as Azerbaijan and Armenia seek to normalize relations. A measured, fact-based approach will be essential to making progress on this and other contentious issues.
Agreed. Relying on objective evidence and a willingness to understand each other’s perspectives will be key to finding constructive solutions, rather than getting mired in accusation and counter-accusation.
The demolition of religious or cultural sites is always concerning. However, claims and counter-claims from the involved parties make it difficult to assess the facts objectively. Transparency and a commitment to reconciliation will be crucial as Azerbaijan and Armenia work to normalize relations.
You make a fair point. Maintaining open communication and finding common ground will be essential for making progress on this and other sensitive issues between the two countries.
The claims and counter-claims around the demolition of structures in Khankendi/Stepanakert reflect the ongoing tensions and sensitivities as Azerbaijan and Armenia work to normalize relations. Impartial investigation and open dialogue will be vital to addressing these types of issues in a constructive manner.
This is a complex and sensitive issue. While demolition of structures is often controversial, it’s important to consider the broader context of regional tensions and efforts at normalization between Azerbaijan and Armenia. Accusations of disinformation from both sides suggest a need for impartial investigation and dialogue.