Corrupt Land Grab Forces Many to Leave Armenian Border Village of Koutakan

12:45, October 20, 2012

The village of Koutakan lies 15 kilometres north-east of the town of Vardenis, not far from the Azerbaijani border.

Most local residents call the village by its old name – Gyunashli. It was once populated by Azeris and now by Armenians forced to flee Azerbaijan. The village, at 2,100 meters above sea level, has around 150 residents. It once had triple that number.

One of the main reasons for the decrease is the scarcity of land.

Koutakan Mayor Aharon Abrahamyan says that 500 hectares of the community's 1,230 hectares was privatized back in the early 1990s. The land was divided up amongst 40 families. Another 700 hectares was leased to twelve individuals.  Read more... (558 words)

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