Thousands gathered in Stepanakert’s Revival Square this morning for a government-organized rally to raise awareness about the seven-month Azerbaijani blockade of the Lachin Corridor.

Yesterday, Artsakh State Minister Gurgen Nersisyan announced the start of a popular movement to force the reopening of the roadway.

Following the rally, attended by Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan, Nersisyan, President of the National Assembly Artur Tovmasyan, and other officials, people marched on the headquarters of Russian peacekeepers to request an end to the blockade.

Nersisyan yesterday called on the international community to recognize the security and rights of the people living in Artsakh, including the right to self-determination, as a priority value.

Nersisyan, in a public video, called on Russia to ensure the unhindered traffic, transportation of people and cargo through the corridor connecting Artsakh to Armenia, as stipulated in the tripartite ceasefire statement of November 9, 2020.

Nersisyan hasn’t elaborated on the future actions of the movement.

Update: Nersisyan has announced that the Russian peacekeeper command has agreed to meet with Artsakh officials and rallygoer representatives on the matter.