Tensions run high in Armenia's Voskepar amid demining

Tensions are running high in Voskepar, a border village in Armenia’s Tavush Province, where local residents have been protesting against the planned land handover to Azerbaijan for the third day on Monday.

The protesting villagers attempted to prevent NSS officers from demining the area near the Holy Mother of God Church in Voskepar in preparation for the surrender of border areas to Azerbaijan, but were stopped by police officers deployed to the area.

Mine clearance in the nearby communities has been blocked by local residents.

People in Voskepar strongly oppose the demining activities near the 7th-century church.

"Those who support it are land givers," they say.