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The resident of Shurnukh village, who burnt his house to the ground on Monday before leaving it to Azeris, was Ararat Aghabekyan, veteran of three Karabakh wars, nicknamed Ashkharapet, Deputy Mayor of Goris town Irina Yolyan wrote on Facebook. Aghabekyan earlier posted a video on Facebook, showing how he sets his house on fire before abandoning it. 

"During the war, Ashkharapet was the one who encouraged us the most. He used to come to the community house, greet all with optimism and share encouraging messages. Today, his voice was very anxious, dispair and deep pain were felt.  We are usually concerned about the future but today, it seems the present is even more uncertain," Irina Yolyan said. 

In a video streamed live on Facebook, Ararat Aghabekyan said that during burning his own property is the only thing the ordinary people can do to prevent Turks from entering their houses built on liberated lands through 30 years.  "Whatever plans the authorities have, whatever damage they may bring to our people, they will never  be able to cede the Syunik world," he said in the video,  showing his house in flames. "Nikol, this is your New Year gift to Shurnukh residents, I am burning the house built myself on a land liberated by us," added Ashkharapet. 

To note, some 12 houses of Shunukh village in Armenia's Syunik province were ceded to Azerbaijan after a deadline to locals to vacate their houses and the property until January 5.