One of Three Russian Journalists Injured in Shushi Church in Extremely Serious Condition

The Human Rights Defender Artak Beglaryan visited the hospital on October 8 to assess the health condition of three foreign journalists injured in the attack by Azerbaijani armed forces on the Ghazanchetsots Church in Shushi and to clarify the circumstances of the incident.

The hospital management informed the Defender that three Russian journalists were affected by the incident, one of whom is in extremely serious condition, while the other two are in serious condition. The Defender found that the journalists were performing their professional duties in the church at the time of the strike, covering the aftermath of the first hit on the church.

According to eyewitness accounts from various citizens and journalists present at the scene, there was a drone hovering above the church shortly before the strike, which then subsequently hit the church. These facts clearly indicate that the Azerbaijani armed forces had visibility of their attack on the church and were aware that journalists with identifiable markings were inside. Thus, it is indisputable that Azerbaijan deliberately targeted the journalists and the church.

Moreover, it has been established during a fact-finding mission that the Azerbaijani armed forces also shelled the vicinity of a mosque in Shushi.

Strongly condemning the deliberate targeting of journalists and the church by Azerbaijan, the Human Rights Defender of Artsakh describes these actions as war crimes and crimes against humanity. The Defender urges international human rights organizations to give due assessment to the incident and take measures towards holding the perpetrators accountable.