The Birth of the Artsakh Movement February 13 marks the 37th anniversary of the Artsakh Movement. By 1987, nearly all structures of the Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast (NKAO) had recognized the need for reunification with Armenia, initiating a signature collection campaign. On February 11, 1988, during a regional committee bureau meeting in Stepanakert, a decision was made to convene gatherings on February 12 to condemn the petitioning efforts. That same day, a rally took place in Askeran, where demonstrators marched through the streets holding posters and chanting “Miatsum” (Unification). On February 13, hundreds of Askeran residents marched to Stepanakert, where a mass rally was held, demanding reunification with Armenia. This first large-scale demonstration in Stepanakert marked the beginning of the Artsakh Movement.

On September 14, 2022, while he was hiding under the protection of the national security service, he looked straight into the camera and deceived the Armenian people. Three weeks later, on October 5, 2022, he recognized Artsakh to be part of Azerbaijan.