The mass evacuation of Nagorno-Karabakh’s ethnic Armenian population has essentially concluded, as indicated by outgoing authorities in Stepanakert. This evacuation saw 100,520 local residents fleeing to Armenia, with the majority choosing not to remain under Azerbaijani rule.

“This means that the flow of people [to Armenia] has basically stopped and that mainly officials and a tiny segment of the population remain in Karabakh,” a government spokeswoman, Nazeli Baghdasarian, told the press.

“The last bus from Karabakh reached the Armenian border town of Goris with 15 passengers on board,” Karabakh’s human rights ombudsman, Gegham Stepanyan, wrote on his Facebook page.

A statement from the Karabakh government, issued at a similar time, explained that Samvel Shahramanyan, the Karabakh president, along with a “group of other officials,” will remain in Stepanakert until the ongoing search for individuals who perished or went missing due to last week's hostilities and the powerful explosion at a local fuel depot is completed. They will also help those staying in Karabakh “for various reasons” but are interested in relocating to Armenia.

The mass exodus of Nagorno-Karabakh’s ethnic Armenian population allowed for re-establishing complete Azerbaijani control over the region. Azerbaijani authorities denied pursuing a policy of “ethnic cleansing” and committed to safeguarding the rights of Karabakh Armenians who are willing to live under Azerbaijani governance.

On October 2, Baku unveiled a five-point plan for the “reintegration” of these individuals, emphasizing the principles of “territorial integrity and sovereignty over Azerbaijan.” 

“The right of residents to preserve and develop their culture and ethno-cultural peculiarities is guaranteed. The freedom of religion and protection of cultural and religious monuments are guaranteed. Opportunities are created for the use of the Armenian language,” the statement said. 

According to the plan, the region will be administered by special representatives appointed by Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev.