April 7, 2025 - 17:58 AMT
Babayan says integration with Azerbaijan was impossible

At a court session on April 7 in the Baku Military Court over what are viewed as fabricated charges, Artsakh’s former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan declared his firm opposition to integrating with Azerbaijan, noting that "no one saw such a prospect," as reported by Minval.az .

"Integration was impossible," Babayan stated.

According to him, the same position was held by other Artsakh leaders, including President Arayik Harutyunyan, State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, and others. Babayan emphasized that none of the officials believed integration was a realistic future.

He also noted that during his international visits, he used an Armenian passport and added that officials also possessed diplomatic passports.

The U.S. Commission on International Religious Freedom (USCIRF) has released its annual report, highlighting that Armenian Christian prisoners often face severe mistreatment — including beatings, psychological abuse, and denial of medical care and proper nutrition. Religious persecution is also documented through attempts to burn off cross-shaped tattoos.