Due to diplomatic pressure from Azerbaijan in 2015 the publication of the book “Azokh Cave and the Transcaucasian Corridor” was delayed for a year. The Azerbaijani authorities tried not only  to block this scientific work, but also through Interpol attempted to arrest its editors, including Doctor of Biological Sciences, Professor Levon Episkoposyan.

The Azokh Cave is located in the Hadrut region. It  has become a center of international scientific research. During 20 years of research, sediments dating back 100,000-400,000 years have been discovered here, which is of great importance for the study of the movements and habitation of prehistoric humans.

DNA analyses have shown that the Armenians of Artsakh are indigenous and have lived in this area for at least 5,000 years.

Professor Episkoposyan notes that the Azerbaijani side is consistently trying to distort historical facts and appropriate Armenian heritage, while Armenian scientific results do not receive sufficient attention at the state level. He emphasizes that without appropriate publicization of scientific research and state support, it is impossible to protect the Armenian cultural and historical heritage through international information and diplomatic efforts.