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Armenian security expert Tigran Abrahamyan, the head of the analytical center Henaket, on Friday called attention to the phone calls made by Azerbaijanis to the Armenians of Artsakh, during which Azeris propose them to sell their houses and leave the country.

“This issue was addressed by our colleague Nairi Hokhikyan yesterday, who passed on the concerns of the people of Artsakh.

“The main idea conveyed [in the phone calls] by the Azerbaijanis is that Artsakh ‘will be handed over [to Azerbaijan] in any case and we propose you to sell your houses’,” the expert wrote on Facebook.

Abrahamyan indicated the number of such calls is not small.

“There are actually two main issues here. First, Azerbaijan has apparently launched a total psychological attack on the people of Artsakh in an effort to accelerate the eviction of Armenians from Artsakh by instilling a climate of fear.

“Second, it offers a "devilish deal" to the people, trying to gain control of Artsakh in that way.

“Unfortunately, these processes are expected; the use of such tools will be more widespread in the near future.

“All this becomes more tragic against the background of the Armenian authorities’ withdrawal from the process and closing the chapter of Artsakh once and for all,” he said.

The expert stressed the need to stand with the people of Artsakh and support them as much as possible. 

“At the same time, we must not forget that the ambitions of Azerbaijan and Turkey will not be limited to Artsakh and any concession on the Artsakh issue will pave the way for Armenia’s territorial losses,” Abrahamyan said.