Artsakh State Minister denies rumors that Lachin corridor is open

YEREVAN, December 20. /ARKA/. Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) State Minister Ruben Vardanyan denied rumors that the Lachin corridor linking Artsakh with Armenia and blocked by Azerbaijan since December 12 is open.

In a live Facebook broadcast he said there are still (Azerbaijanis) standing on the outskirts of the road and they can block the passage whenever they want.

'We repeat that this is unacceptable. They have to get out of there permanently and not impede the movement of cars. This is the only solution, because otherwise they (Azerbaijanis ) can set up checkpoints there," the state minister said.

Vardanyan warned against giving in to fake news and information warfare and assured that he and his team will do everything necessary.

On December 12th, Azerbaijan imposed a blockade of the Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) to Armenia. The effect has been devastating to the population, rendering 120,000 individuals without access to the route that provides much of Artsakh’s food, medical supplies and transport, and other essential goods, and depriving them of their right to free movement.

Azerbaijan also shut off one of the major sources of natural gas for civilians in the territory, leaving tens of thousands without heating as temperatures plummet, however, natural gas supply was resumed on December.

Groups of Azerbaijanis who blocked the road demand that Azerbaijani officials be allowed to inspect two metal mines in Karabakh, which they claim cause environmental damage. According to Karabakh officials, they began rationing fuel and foods.-0-.