Former State Minister of Artsakh responds to U.S. President`s post  containing Azerbaijani president`s speech in Shushi 

ArmInfo.  Former State Minister of Artsakh Artak Beglaryan has posted a message in response to U.S. President Donald Trump's post with a video of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev in occupied Shushi. 

In this speech, the Azerbaijani leader put forward another batch of  demands regarding Armenia and rained down threats in case of  non-fulfillment of these demands. Later, the American leader shared  this post on his social networks, which caused wild delight in the  Azerbaijani pocket press.

Mr. President,

  With deep respect, I must express my sorrow and concern regarding  your decision to share a video featuring Ilham Aliyev - one of the  most criminal and dictatorial leaders of our time.  Please note the  following critical facts:

1. Aliyev has committed genocide and crimes against humanity against  the indigenous Christian Armenian people of Artsakh  (Nagorno-Karabakh), culminating in the forcible displacement of over  100,000 people in September 2023 - a process widely recognized as  ethnic cleansing.  

2. On October 23, 2024, you yourself called these actions "ethnic  cleansing" and "forcible displacement," promising to work to stop  them. With that in mind, who do you believe committed those crimes,  if not the very man whose video you have now amplified? 

3. Aliyev tortures Armenian civilians and prisoners of war simply for  their ethnic and religious identity - as documented by independent  international organizations. These are not political allegations but  well- substantiated human rights violations. 

4. Dozens of Armenian churches and monuments have been destroyed,  vandalized, or defaced under his orders - a blatant campaign to erase  the centuries-old Christian Armenian heritage of the region. 

5. Aliyev has publicly stated that Azerbaijani youth should hate  Armenians, built a grotesque "trophy park" mocking dead Armenian  soldiers, and institutionalized anti-Armenian hatred in schools and  public discourse. 

6. His forces have not only occupied Artsakh but also sovereign  territories of Armenia, while openly threatening new aggression  against a peaceful democratic neighbor. 

7. On October 26, 2020, Aliyev promised a ceasefire to your  administration - only to violate it within hours, undermining your  peace efforts during your presidential campaign. 

8. The speech you shared was delivered in occupied Shushi - one of  the most sacred and historic Armenian cities in Artsakh. For decades,  U.S. legislators and administrations have acknowledged the right of  its people to self-determination in the area of Nagorno-Karabakh,  including Shushi. 

Mr. President, 

As one of the victims of Aliyev's genocidal aggression and as a voice  for my displaced people, I respectfully urge you: Do not lend  legitimacy to a dictator who has inflicted immeasurable suffering and  destruction on an ancient Christian nation. 

Instead, we ask you to honor your own words - to help stop the  violence and ethnic cleansing. Our people continue to hope that the  United States, and you personally, will stand on the side of justice,  freedom, and truth.  

We ask for your support for: 

 The safe, dignified, and sustainable return of my people to our  homeland, 

 The protection of our religious and cultural heritage now under  threat, 

 The release of Armenian hostages held in Azerbaijani prisons, 

 And the eradication of state-sponsored hatred and fascist-style  indoctrination in Azerbaijan.  Please don't let the rhetoric of  "peace" from a dictator obscure the real and continuing tragedy of  our people.