Novate.ru Russian website released a list of 5 Major Masterpieces Vandalized in the 21th Century, which included ancient Armenian khachkars in Nakhichevan’s Old Jugha (Julfa) demolished by Azeris.

According to the release, “for a long time, Armenians constituted a major part of the population of Nakhijevan region (now a part of Azerbaijan). Yet, in early 3rd millennium, mere wrecks of Armenian architecture reminded of their presence, with the cemetery in Julfa as the largest one.

“By the end of the 20th century, over 2000 khachkars have been preserved in the cemetery. The fist attempt at their destruction came in 1998, to be thwarted by the international community’s harsh response. Another act of vandalism was perpetrated in 2002, with the “Armenian issue” finalized in 2005, which saw the cemetery cleared of khachkars to make room for shooting grounds. Meanwhile, Baku continues denying the fact of the vandalism, as well as Armenian history of Nakhijevan, despite significant body of evidence,” the publication said.