The political unrest in Nagorno-Karabakh remained a rather distant concern for Armenians of Baku until March 1988 , when the Sumgait pogrom took place . The anti-Armenian feelings were aroused because of the conflict in Nagorno-Karabakh resulting in the exodus of most Armenians from Baku and elsewhere in the republic . However , many Armenian refugees from Azerbaijan later reported that despite ethnic tensions taking place in Nagorno-Karabakh , the relationships with their Azeri friends and neighbors had been unaffected . The massacre in Sumgait came as a shock to both Armenian and Azerbaijanis of the cities , and many Armenian lives were saved as ordinary Azeris sheltered them during the pogroms and volunteered to escort them out of the country , often risking their own lives . In some cases , the Armenians who were leaving entrusted their houses and possessions to their Azeri friends
Sumgait pogrom
Sumgait pogrom
Armenians in Baku