The Statue of Humanity in Kars was demolished by the request of Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, according to the ex-Mayor of Kars.

As Naif Alibeyoglu noted during the meeting with Marmara University Students, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan agreed to fulfil Aliyevs’ request because of Turkey’s dependence on Azerbaijan-supplied gas and oil, as well as significant number of Azerbaijanis residing in Kars province, euractiv.com.tr reported.

A well-known Turkish sculptor, Mehmet Aksoy created the statue at the decision of Alibeyoglu then acting Mayor, a member of the oppositional Republican People's Party (CHP).

In 2009, Alibeyoglu was dismissed from Mayoral position at the demand of the Prime Minister and 20% of Kars Azeri population.

The City Council of Kars decided by a majority vote to demolish the monument dedicated to the Armenian-Turkish friendship, branded by Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan as “monstrous”.