Azerbaijani Authorities Deeply Concerned About Consequences of Video Circulating Online, Expert Says

Approximately an hour after the release of shocking footage depicting inhumane treatment of Armenian captive soldiers, all Azerbaijani media outlets, social networks, and Telegram channels received orders to swiftly remove the video from their resources. Furthermore, moments ago, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense issued a statement attempting to deny the authenticity of the video.

This was reported by War and Turkey expert Varujan Geghamyann on his Facebook page: “However, it is clear that this gross violation of international law is such a glaring example of a war crime that the Azerbaijani authorities are deeply worried about the consequences stemming from it. Such videos prove that the Azerbaijani armed forces are implementing genocidal policies in the territory of Artsakh with the aim of completely ethnically cleansing Armenians from Artsakh.”

The inhumane treatment of Armenians is fueled by Azerbaijani authorities over several decades. As a result, the brutal killing of an Armenian becomes a societal norm and a source of pride (the case of R. Safarov is the most notorious example). It is no coincidence that today’s footage has generated a wave of enthusiasm among Azerbaijanis in the internal audience.

At the same time, it is difficult for the Azerbaijani authorities to fully control their military's atrocities and inhumane actions in order to prevent them from reaching the international community, which could cause problems for Baku's authoritarian leader. This is precisely why calls on social networks are not only urging to refrain from publishing videos depicting their atrocities and to collect smartphones but also to conduct explanatory work among soldiers and officers, presenting the relevant provisions of the Geneva Conventions.

Sadly, I must note that anti-Armenian sentiment has taken such deep root in Azerbaijani society that it will be difficult to curb these inhumane manifestations even with these methods. Therefore, the Armenian army is carrying out not only military but also civilizational activities, gradually denazifying Azerbaijani society.