Former Chief of the General Staff of Armenia’s Armed Forces, Movses Hakobyan, believes the return of Artsakh Armenians is realistic. As a native of Artsakh, Hakobyan thinks people simply need to be convinced that the idea is viable.
Speaking to reporters at Yerevan’s Freedom Square during a rally marking Artsakh’s Independence Day on September 2, Hakobyan said the return would restore honor and dignity, Sputnik Armenia reports.
He emphasized that the idea can become viable only if people develop firm belief in it. According to him, the first step must be restoring trust within society.
Responding to a question about the possibility of regime change in Armenia, the general stated clearly that there is no alternative to democratic processes: “There is no alternative to elections.”
He also addressed his relationship with Armen Grigoryan, Secretary of the Security Council and a close ally of the current Prime Minister, who is also his cousin.
“I don’t communicate with him,” Hakobyan said.
On September 19, 2023, Azerbaijan launched a large-scale offensive against Artsakh, subjecting the entire region to heavy shelling. One day later, on September 20, the authorities of the Republic of Artsakh accepted the Russian peacekeepers' proposal to cease fire and agreed to Baku’s terms, including disarmament of the Defense Army and the dissolution of the Republic. Forced displacement of Artsakh Armenians began on September 24, with over 100,000 people expelled to Armenia. Reports suggest only about 20 Armenians remained in Artsakh. On September 28, President Samvel Shahramanyan signed a decree on dissolving the Republic, effective January 1, 2024.
