Advocates: Azerbaijani authorities demolished Armenian church in Karabakh

Cathedral of the Protection of the Virgin Mary in 2019. Photo: Current Time

On April 22, 2026, rights defenders reported that Azerbaijani authorities had demolished an Armenian church in Karabakh, the monitoring group Caucasus Heritage Watch said.

According to available information, the Cathedral of the Protection of the Virgin Mary was destroyed in Khankendi, known in Armenian as Stepanakert. The statements describe what is happening as the deliberate destruction of Armenian cultural and religious heritage.

“This is not simply the demolition of a church. It is the continuation of the same policy that led to the Armenian genocide a century ago... It is not only buildings that are being destroyed, but the identity of a people,” the appeal says.

The cathedral was reportedly founded in 2006 and consecrated in 2019. Earlier in April, reports also emerged of the demolition of another church in the city – St. Hakob Church, built in 2007.

Analysis of satellite images conducted by human rights and research groups confirms that both churches were destroyed between early March and early April 2026.

Azerbaijani authorities have not officially commented on the reports. At the same time, Baku has previously stated that buildings constructed during the Karabakh conflict are considered illegal.

The situation is unfolding against the backdrop of the long-running conflict over Karabakh, which came under Azerbaijan’s full control after the events of 2023.

Earlier, the UOJ reported that vandals in France had smashed the altar of a Roman Catholic church.

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