As far back as 2006, Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan applied to the European Court of Human Rights for the possibility of returning to Baku, Sumgait, Kirovabad, Grigory Aivazyan, Chairman of the Assembly of Armenians from Azerbaijan, told a press conference.

The Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan welcome the Strasbourg hearing and want it to be the same for Azerbaijan as the Nuremberg trial was for Nazi Germany. “Unfortunately, we have to admit that political arguments as usual prevail over legal ones. For some unknown reason, the Court picked up the Gulistan case out of numerous claims thereby seeking parity between Armenia and Azerbaijan,” Aivazyan said. During the trial, Azerbaijani representative cynically said Gulistan is not under their control so they cannot give any guarantees.

During the judicial proceedings, the representative of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan Askarov officially stated for the first time in Azerbaijan’s modern history that Armenians could return to their places of residence. “We are really ready to return, but is Azerbaijan ready to receive one million refugees and ensure their security,” Aivazyan said.

“We, Armenians from Azerbaijan, must not let the aggressor Azerbaijan humiliate us. Every day, from al parts of the world, Armenians from Azerbaijan call me to say they welcome our initiative. If Azerbaijan can guarantee our security, I will be the first to return. But Azerbaijan would rather return Nakhichevan to us than guarantee our return to our homes,” Aivazyan said.