Human Rights Defender on Injured Soldier Today

The Azerbaijani authorities are operating in blatant violation of international rules and bear responsibility for the gunshot injury inflicted on an Armenian soldier today near the village of Kut in the Gegharkunik region, representing a deliberate attempt to violate the right to life. This was reported by the Office of the Human Rights Defender.

This conclusion is based on at least the fact that the Azerbaijani armed forces have infiltrated and are illegally stationed in the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia in Gegharkunik and Syunik. Since November 9, 2020, these two regions have been physically occupied, with the armed forces present on lands that legally belong to Armenian citizens or are community property.

The armed forces regularly fire towards Armenian villages and create real danger to the life and health of civilians, causing damage to their property and livestock. They engage in illegal acts against civilian residents, such as stealing animals, attempts to illegally deprive individuals of their freedom, and threats with weapons against civilians, in addition to obstructing agricultural work, among other issues.

In the vicinity of Kut in Gegharkunik and other neighboring villages, they are setting fire to pastures and hayfields, and due to their presence, the freedom of movement for residents has been restricted, endangering people's right to life. Furthermore, as officially stated by Azerbaijani authorities, their armed attacks and threats of war disrupt people's peaceful lives and safety.