Information about frescoes and khachkars from the Khudavang monastery complex that Baku says were removed illegally has been entered into Interpol’s stolen works of art database.
Sabina Hajiyeva, head of Azerbaijan’s State Service for the Protection, Development and Restoration of Cultural Heritage, announced the action on Sept. 21.
Hajiyeva said the information was added to the international database on Oct. 9, 2025. Azerbaijani authorities say frescoes, khachkars, crosses, bells and other objects were removed during the withdrawal of Armenian forces from the complex.
She said restoration work was carried out at the complex from 1997 to 2011 with funding from Armenia and the Armenian Apostolic Church, while restoration of the frescoes began in 2014.
Listing the items in the database allows international police mechanisms to be used if they are found in an Interpol member country. No independent confirmation of the objects’ current location was cited; the account reflects the position of the Azerbaijani state service.
Source: Vesti Baku