With the Armenian government refusing to shut it down for years on the pretext of not being able to produce enough power, Metsamor gives cause for concern over the smuggling of nuclear materials. Some have claimed that the Armenian government is not only using Metsamor just for power production but also for serious work on nuclear arms technology. With terrorism having acquired a global aspect amid the potential for terrorist organizations to obtain nuclear arms, it is unfortunate that Armenia's ancient Metsamor Plant is providing а platform for terrorist organizations to acquire radioactive materials.
In April 2016, smugglers who were of Armenian origin were caught while trying to sell off uranium worth 238 million dollars. It had also been proven that Azerbaijani territory under the Armenian occupation had been used to store and transport nuclear materials. According to the latest data, there are 29 radiation centers that provide raw materials for Metsamor in the occupied territories.
The Metsamor Nuclear Power Plant continues to present a threat to the region. Studies on the impact of a potential nuclear leak at Metsamor show that tens of thousands of people in Eastern Anatolia, especially in the provinces of Iğdır, Kars, and Ardahan, would be affected. The fact that the plant is located just 16 kilometers from the border with Turkey is, in itself, a clear indicator of the level of danger. Metsamor also poses a major radioactive threat to the eastern provinces of Turkey because of its antiquated technology and because it is located on the Eastern Anatolian fault line. Experts consider it a serious possibility that all of eastern and southeastern Turkey could be affected as a result of a potential earthquake or major nuclear leak at the plant. Despite all the obstacles in its way, Azerbaijan continues to take the international initiative to draw attention to the Metsamor threat.
The imminent danger posed by Metsamor has now become completely real.
