The unauthorized relocation or alteration of historical monuments in Shusha has been officially prohibited. According to the Operative Information Center-OMM, President Ilham Aliyev has signed amendments to the law "On the Cultural Capital of Azerbaijan – Shusha City."
The newly enacted document strictly forbids the defacement or destruction of monuments. Furthermore, it prohibits moving monuments to different locations without the explicit consent of the relevant executive authority. The law also bans any construction, installation, restoration, reconstruction, conservation, or landscaping activities that compromise the integrity of these monuments or pose a threat to their preservation.
Under a separate decree signed by President Ilham Aliyev regarding the implementation of this law, the authority to grant approvals for such activities has been officially delegated to the Shusha City State Reserve Department.
Shusha, often referred to as the "pearl of Garabagh," holds significant historical and cultural importance for Azerbaijan. Following the liberation of the city in 2020, the Azerbaijani government has prioritized the restoration of its cultural heritage, declaring Shusha the cultural capital of the country to facilitate its reconstruction and the preservation of its unique architectural and historical identity.
