Refugees from Stepanakert treat neighbourhood with Azerbaijan-controlled Shushi as dangerous

The authorities of Nagorno-Karabakh urge their citizens to return to their homeland. Refugees answered that they decided to return to their homes in Stepanakert, but did not consider living in the city safe after the transfer of the neighbouring city of Shushi to Azerbaijan.

The government of Nagorno-Karabakh has covered the expenses for transporting their citizens from Armenia back to Karabakh. According to an official from the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Development, families are mainly returning from the communities least affected during the war.

Kristine Minasyan, a refugee from Stepanakert, is worried that in the future she will have to travel to Karabakh and back accompanied by Russian peacemakers. "I want to live freely," she has noted.

Anna Beglaryan, a refugee, told the "Caucasian Knot" that she does not want to stay in Armenia, first of all, because her home is in Nagorno-Karabakh. "Yes, and in Armenia I have no job. What should I do here?" she asked, noting that she has no absolute trust in peacemakers.

Asmik Arushanyan, a woman from Stepanakert, said that her house was damaged during the intense shelling from Shushi. She thinks that life in Stepanakert is unsafe after the transfer of Shushi to Azerbaijan, since, in her opinion, not only shelling, but also other provocations are now possible from the neighbouring city.