Separatist Karabakh regime to dissolve after Azerbaijan's victory

BAKU

The separatists’ regime in Nagorno-Karabakh said it will dissolve itself, and the unrecognized republic will cease to exist by Jan. 1, after a nearly three-decade bloody dream of independence.

"Dissolve all state institutions and organizations under their departmental subordination by Jan. 1, 2024, and the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh ceases to exist," said a decree signed by seperataist leader Samvel Shakhramanyan.

The document said residents should "familiarize themselves with the conditions of reintegration" offered by Azerbaijan and make "an independent and individual decision" on whether to stay.

The separatist leader also said that an agreement struck with Azerbaijan will ensure the "free, voluntary and unhindered passage" for all those who wanted to leave.

The move comes after Azerbaijan carried out a lightning offensive to reclaim full control over its region and demanded that Armenian separatists in Karabakh lay down their weapons and the separatist regime dismantle itself.

Karabakh, internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan, was run by separatists for about 30 years and was liberated from Armenia in a 2020 war.

Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev on Sept. 27 said the rights of the Armenian minority living in Karabakh would be protected "within the framework of the country's legislation and international obligation."

"We have taken notice of this [dissolve decision] and are closely monitoring the situation. Our peacekeepers continue to assist people," Russian Spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters, adding the Kremlin was in contact with Azerbaijan on humanitarian linked issues.

Moscow yesterday also said Armenians fleeing after Azerbaijani forces retook control of Nagorno-Karabakh had nothing to fear.

"There is no direct reason for such actions," Peskov said referring to the exodus, "people are nevertheless expressing a desire to leave... those who made such a decision should be provided with normal conditions."

An Azerbaijani court yesterday placed former leader of separatist leaders Ruben Vardanyan in pre-trial detention after charging him with financing terrorism and other crimes.

A Baku court ruled that Vardanyan should be arrested and placed in pre-trial detention for four months.

In the meantine, Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan and his Armenian counterpart, Ararat Mirzoyan, on Sept. 27 discussed ongoing regional developments in a phone call. No further information was provided regarding the talks.