Ancient crosses smashed with sledgehammers

BRUSSELS - Fears that Azerbaijan has systematically destroyed hundreds of 500-year-old Christian artefacts have exploded into a diplomatic row, after European Union MPs were barred from inspecting an ancient Armenian burial site.

The predominantly Muslim country's Government has been accused by the International Council on Monuments and Sites of vandalism similar to the Taleban's demolition of the Bamiyan Buddhas in Afghanistan.

The claims centre on the fate of rare "khachkars", stone crosses carved with intricate floral designs, at the burial ground of Djulfa in the Nakhichevan region of Azerbaijan, an enclave separated from the rest of the country by Armenia.

The works - some of the most important examples of Armenian heritage - are said to have been smashed with sledgehammers last December as the site was concreted over.

The Azerbaijan Government, which denies the claims, is now at the centre of a row with MEPs, some of whom it accused of a "biased and hysterical approach". Its ambassador to the EU also says the European Parliament has ignored damage to Muslim sites in Armenia.

Azerbaijan refused to allow a delegation of MEPs permission to visit the 1500-year-old Djulfa cemetery during their trip to the region last month.

Most of original 10,000 khachkars, which date from the 15th and 16th century, were destroyed by the early 20th century.

- INDEPENDENT