Lachin Corridor Closed Again: Claims of Contraband Found in Red Cross Vehicles

The State Border Service of Azerbaijan has temporarily closed the Lachin Corridor, the only road connecting Armenia to Artsakh, at the beginning of the corridor, on the bridge over the Hakari River. This closure is justified by claims that "multiple attempts to transport various types of contraband goods in vehicles belonging to the International Committee of the Red Cross have been detected at the border checkpoint."
According to the Azerbaijani side, "unreported mobile phones, cigarettes, gasoline, and other items were found in the ICRC vehicles." A criminal case has been initiated regarding these allegations, and traffic through this checkpoint has been temporarily suspended until necessary investigative measures are completed.
It is worth recalling that on June 22, the Azerbaijani side engaged in yet another provocation and criminal activity by blocking the only road (Lachin Corridor) connecting Artsakh to Armenia with a concrete barrier.