Artsakh lawmaker on German Sterligov's decision to move to Artsakh
Chairman of the National Revival Party, Artsakh lawmaker Hayk Khanumyan says we need not pay so much attention to the fact that one of the first Soviet multimillionaires, German Sterligov, has settled down in Nagorno-Karabakh. “Since his [Sterligov’s] lawyer is Armenian, I guess that he has much spoken about Nagorno-Karabakh and Sterligov has decided to leave Russia for Nagorno-Karabakh,” Khanumyan said. The lawmaker is aware that the billionaire’s decision to settle in Artsakh has been interpreted in different ways. Anyway, he says they will try ‘to trace the course of future events. At the same time the MP regrets that people in Armenia do not pay so much attention to the fact that many Armenians are also coming to Artsakh these days. “A few years ago, a guy named Armen who was a successful businessman, settled in Tsar village in Shahumyan region with his Russian wife and was immediately engaged in farming. Nobody talked about him,” Khanumyan said. He stresses that Artsakh attracts different people for different reasons. "Many come here to do business and enjoy the tranquility of Artsakh. For example, an elderly American came to spend the last years of his life in our country,” the lawmaker added. In response to our observation that Sterligov is an eccentric man, who supports the physical destruction of scientists and considers and considers theaters and cinemas to be schools of Satan, Mr Khanumyan said, “There are many eccentric people in Artsakh who also make bizarre suggestions. Hence, the presence of one more eccentric person will not be a problem.” The lawmaker thinks that the Russian businessman has so much property as the press says. Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry spokesman has already announced that that Sterligov’s name will be added to the official list of foreigners banned from visiting Azerbaijan. He said Russian and other journalists covering Sterligov’s press conference without Baku’s permission will also be put on the blacklist. “We are not interested in their opinion. Let them keep it for their society. No one cares about their "blacklist” here, in Artsakh,” Khanumyan said in conclusion. According to the Russian News Service, Sterligov put his property, livestock, and vehicle fleet for sale in Russia before leaving the country. His assistant, Polina Sirota, has said that Sterligov left for Artsakh on July 4. Sterligov’s lawyer confirmed with the BBC on July 6 that he had left Russia. “He has left for Nagorno-Karabakh, and it’s not known when he’s going to return. Serious circumstances have made him leave Russia. But it’s not bandits, it’s on a higher level,” Sirota said. “It is unclear when he will come back, but he certainly will do,” she added.
