During a visit by representatives of 58 countries accredited in Azerbaijan and nine international organizations, Azerbaijani presidential aide Hikmet Hajiyev presented the tombstone of Nerses Hasan Jalalyants, located in the courtyard of the Gandzasar Monastery complex, as an example of “Caucasian Albanian” heritage.

The Russian-language inscription on the tombstone states that it belongs to Nerses Jalalyants (1886–1911), a Doctor of Medicine from the University of Berlin. The tombstone also contains Armenian inscriptions. The surname “Jalalyants” derives from the family name of the descendants of Hasan Jalal, while the name Nerses has been used among Armenians since at least the fifth century.

According to specialists cited in the article, the historical and linguistic context of the tombstone and its inscriptions does not support claims presenting it as a “Caucasian Albanian” monument. The article notes that such interpretations are particularly problematic when presented to foreign diplomats and representatives of international organizations.

The authors also examine the issue within the framework of international cultural heritage law, emphasizing the importance of accurately representing the history and identity of monuments.