Information on Involvement of Terrorist Groups in War Against Artsakh Obtained Within Criminal Case

The Investigation Committee of Armenia continues its inquiry into the aggressive war unleashed by the military-political leadership of Azerbaijan along the entire line of contact of the Republic of Artsakh. The inquiry focuses on serious violations of international humanitarian law during armed confrontations, including breaches of the UN Charter Article 2(4) and other international legal norms.

Following extensive investigative and procedural actions conducted by the Investigation Committee of Armenia in collaboration with their counterparts from the Republic of Artsakh, it has been established that from September 27 to October 12, 2020, the civilian population of more than 120 settlements in Artsakh was a target of systematic, deliberate assaults using mortar, rocket artillery, and unmanned aerial vehicles by the Azerbaijani armed forces. A total of 25 civilians were killed, including one infant girl, eight women, and sixteen men. The incidents of death were recorded in Stepanakert (7 individuals), Martuni (6 individuals), Hadrut (6 individuals), and Martakert (3 individuals), as well as in the Alashan community of the Martakert region (1 individual) and near the community of Mets Shen (1 individual), and in the Aygestan community of the Askeran region (1 individual).

Moreover, more than 100 civilians sustained injuries, with over 80 individuals suffering severe wounds. Azerbaijani armed forces have grossly violated the provisions of Article 25 of the Hague Convention for the Protection of Cultural Property in the Event of Armed Conflict by targeting churches, memorials, and cemeteries of significant cultural value during intense assaults. Vital civilian infrastructure and private property have also been damaged, including 5,800 private residential properties (houses, shops, etc.), over 520 vehicles, and approximately 960 infrastructure, public, and industrial facilities.

The investigation has revealed that heavy and wide-range weaponry, including some munitions of a cluster nature prohibited by humanitarian law, have been extensively used against the civilian population of the Republic of Artsakh and continue to be utilized. Data has emerged that suggests the military-political leadership of Azerbaijan, grossly violating the UN General Assembly Resolution 49/60 on the Elimination of International Terrorism, is engaged in organizing and executing criminal acts aimed at destabilizing the internal situation in the Republic of Artsakh through explosions, arson, and other actions aimed at destroying individuals or causing bodily harm, as well as damaging or destroying buildings, structures, roads, means of communication, or other property by involving international terrorist groups in the armed confrontation.

The gathered evidence is under investigation and will receive a proper legal assessment. Large-scale investigative and procedural activities are underway within the framework of the criminal case, and information on the results will be provided regularly.