Nagorno-Karabakh's 'Republic' to Dissolve by January 2024

The self-declared government of Nagorno-Karabakh has announced that the unrecognized republic will dissolve itself by January 1, 2024, following an agreement reached last week with Azerbaijan. Tens of thousands of ethnic Armenians have already fled the region, seeking shelter in Armenia. Armenian-American activist Serj Tankian criticized Azerbaijan for lying about ethnic Armenians choosing to leave their homes, calling it insulting. Azerbaijan has invited fleeing Armenians to become part of its "multi-ethnic society." The United Nations called for the rights of former Nagorno-Karabakh separatist leader Ruben Vardanyan to be respected after he was placed in pre-trial detention by an Azerbaijan court. Russia has taken notice of Nagorno-Karabakh's dissolution, while Armenian authorities and refugees face the challenge of integrating and starting anew. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan urged world leaders to do more in the face of what he called "ethnic cleansing" in the region. Armenia says more than half of Nagorno-Karabakh's population has fled, and the former leader of the region has been charged with financing terrorism.