According to Le Dauphine Libere newspaper, since Wednesday morning, participants in the demonstration initiated by the Armenian community have blocked traffic on the A7 highway calling for the recognition of the independence of the Nagorno-Karabakh republic, also known as Artsakh.
Clashes between two communities started when representatives of the Turkish diaspora came to the scene of the demonstration. Four people were injured during the confrontation, the paper reported.
Photos and videos from the scene where the reported clashes took place have been posted online.
In #France, the Turkish attacked #Armenian peaceful protesters with knives and hammers. An Armenian ground wound hit the head by a hammer.#StopErdogan Le Figaro Le Monde BFMTV pic.twitter.com/DLMVCVpI8G pic.twitter.com/C1Cbbay4fb
— Rafaella (@Rafellayan) October 28, 2020
Fransa’nın Lyon bölgesi yakınlarında A7 otobantını bloke eden ERMENİ eylemciler işe giden bir grup TÜRK VATANDAŞINA sopa, balta ve bıçak ile saldırarak 17 ve 22 yaşlarındaki 2 TÜRKÜN ağır yaralanmasına sebep oldular!!! pic.twitter.com/NcLNSzdveh
— Avrυpalı Türĸler 🇹🇷 (@Avrpli_Turkler) October 28, 2020
And they attacked one of the Armenians with an ax and ran away like cowards https://t.co/Mec7TVydLl pic.twitter.com/0sv1SPNGVW
— Mané Alexanian (@manealx) October 28, 2020
Meanwhile, police have sent reinforcements to the area and have also started blocking access to the area where the demonstration is taking place.
The demonstration comes amid a fresh escalation in the long-lasting Nagorno-Karabakh conflict that began on 27 September. Armenia and Azerbaijan have accused each other of starting the military action. The international community strongly condemned the escalation and called on parties to settle the differences via dialogue, however, Turkey has pledged its full support for Azerbaijan.
Since the outbreak of hostilities last month, Armenian communities across the world have been holding peaceful demonstrations calling on the international community to recognise Artsakh as an independent nation in order to restore peace in the region.
