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Russian journalist: Majority of Karabakh Armenians were forcibly â€œarmenianizedâ€

14 March 2017 12:00 (UTC +04:00)

The majority of Karabakh Armenians were forcibly “armenianized” by Etchmiadzin Cathedral following the liquidation of the Albanian Autocephalous Church - one of the oldest churches in the Christian world, said Evgeny Mikhailov, editor-in-chief of the “Analysis of southern Russia” periodical publication.

He made the remarks addressing an international conference entitled “The Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, origins, peacemaking and the role of civil society”, held in Baku March 14, APA reported.

“I used to think how come Slavic ethnic groups in Rostov Oblast and Krasnodar Krai during the Soviet period never had any problem with local Armenians who had settled there during the reign of Ekaterina in the 18th century,” he said.

Mikhailov noted that powerful Armenian gangs have emerged in Russia’s south at the time the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, which came about in the wake of the fall of the USSR and Armenia’s occupation of Azerbaijani territories, is in the spotlight.

“They used to look down on their own compatriots. Many times, I’ve seen them insulting them and looking down on them,” said the Russian journalist, adding. “They are humiliated under claims of betrayal to “Great Armenia.” The most interesting point is that those regarded as local Armenians are another ethnic group “armenianized” by Etchmiadzin Cathedral for many years. I have found out that local Armenians are direct successors to ancient Kipchaks. Most people in Russia are unaware of this fact thanks to Armenia's powerful propaganda.”

Mikhaylov stressed that Arthur Aghajanov, a Ukrainian researcher originally from Nagorno-Karabakh, provides evidence that the majority of Karabakh Armenians were forcibly “armenianized” by Etchmiadzin Cathedral following the liquidation of the Albanian Autocephalous Church - one of the oldest churches in the Christian world.

“One of the causes of the conflicts in Karabakh, Rostov, Stavropol, Krasnodar, Don and other regions is “armenianization” and the promotion of the historical Armenian concept “Greater Armenia.” All these historical facts should be carefully considered by the international community and we must do whatever it takes to preserve the unique culture, ethnic heritage, language and history of Armenian-Kipchaks,” he added.