Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan addressed a message to the Talysh and Lezgin people:

“Dear Talish and Lezgin brothers and sisters

We are closely following the internal political developments in Azerbaijan, in particular, the growing protests in Talish-populated cities and villages in Azerbaijan, where the population is boycotting Aliyev’s order to enlist in the army and fight against Artsakh and Armenia. Hundreds of Talish and Lezgin victims have been sparked by protests. The practice of the Azeri political clan to use them as a living target and get rid of them in that way has not changed for decades.

We use the constant expressions of the indigenous peoples of Azerbaijan, the Talish and Lezgins, to have a deep understanding of our problem, as well as to have sympathy for it.

I want to assure you that we stand by the just struggle of the Talish-Lezgin peoples, we are ready to contribute by all possible means to the ultimate goal of your struggle – gaining independence.

“As a sign of our good will, the Defense Army will not target the enemy military facilities located in Talish and Lezgin settlements.”