Erik Arushanyan, who was forcibly displaced from the occupied Republic of Artsakh, tells in the framework of “Artsakh: Armenian Genocide 2023. Stories of Survivors” documentary project of Iravaban.net, about the blockade, mentioned that the children were half-starved and that it was a preconceived plan by Azerbaijan to depopulate and deport them, and they managed to do it.
“On 19 September, when the events started, the positions were hit, the young people of the village had to go to help. At the bottom of the village, the boys gathered together to go to help. It is unknown what weapon they were hit; they all were killed, there were many victims, they were burned, and they became unrecognizable. Excellent young people were killed. Our relative told that that the Head of the village had announced evacuation and added that everyone shall leave in any possible way. We went to Stepanakert and stayed there for two days. Then we reached the bottom of the village with the Head of the village by another car, we were told that that Turks are already there above the village. We saw their movement. We entered my house, and saw that my recess was broken, there was money in it, I saw that the money was taken. The cattle had been let loose, there were traces of blood, and perhaps a chicken had been slaughtered. I somehow took what I could. It was such a situation that everyone had to think about their own salvation. It was a mess. A soldier gave his car and said to take the children out. 37 people got out by that car,” our interlocutor said.
According to him, when they crossed the Hakari bridge, Azerbaijanis mocked and cursed.
Referring to the proposals for the reintegration of Azerbaijanis, our interlocutor said that they will not return under any circumstances.
“It was pure genocide. Why didn’t the Russian help, why didn’t the foreigner help? Let them separate us, give us a status, let us live there. Churches and houses were razed to the ground with a tractor; can I go and live with them after that? Birthplace is a sanctuary for every person. We had graves there, we left a house there, but we came to Mother Armenia. And we are grateful that they accepted us in this way. I buried two relatives in Yerablur, both of them were beheaded. Isn’t that genocide? Each of us has felt on our skin what genocide is,” he said.
Mr. Eric says that the Azerbaijanis used prohibited weapons during the aggression provoked on 19 September.
He states that his family is currently divided and they have a housing problem and asks the state to give them a house.
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“Artsakh: Armenian Genocide 2023. Stories of Survivors” documentary project of Iravaban.net is aimed at collecting the memories and testimonies of citizens forcibly displaced from Artsakh occupied by Azerbaijan, about the genocide of the Armenians of Artsakh committed by Azerbaijan, atrocities, the days of war, the path of deportation, etc.
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Details in the video.
Hasmik Sargsyan
