Azerbaijanis Decapitate Armenian Soldier, Inform His Brother, and Post Photo Online: Armenia’s Human Rights Defender

Azerbaijani soldiers have decapitated an Armenian serviceman, called his brother to inform him about it, and subsequently posted a photo online, reported Armenia’s Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan.

“Today, a report was submitted to the Human Rights Defender regarding the Azerbaijani military decapitating an Armenian serviceman two days ago. The immediate investigation revealed that on October 16, around 1 PM, an Azerbaijani soldier called the brother of the Armenian serviceman and informed him that his brother was in their custody, and they had cut off his brother’s head, vowing to post a photo online. Shortly after the call, the deceased serviceman’s brother found the photo on his brother's social media page. It is believed that it was the Azerbaijani soldiers who posted the photo on the social media page after the murder.

The brother had two consecutive phone conversations with the Azerbaijani soldiers, during which they mocked and tried to humiliate him, using hateful language. Furthermore, as the brother of the Armenian serviceman informed the Human Rights Defender, the calls were made from his brother's phone number.

These are brutal and savage, clearly terrorist methods. The Human Rights Defender has also recorded other instances of torture and atrocities by the Azerbaijani armed forces, with investigations ongoing. All these incidents are documented with necessary formalities and are being presented to international bodies according to jurisdiction. Those who commit such criminal acts and those responsible for them must face inevitable punishment under the full severity of international criminal law,” stated Armenia's Human Rights Defender.

It should be noted that on September 27, Azerbaijani forces launched a large-scale attack in Artsakh, also targeting the civilian population. As of October 18, the Artsakh defense forces had shot down 16 helicopters, 22 airplanes, 186 drones, and destroyed 554 units of armored vehicles, mainly tanks, along with 86 vehicles, 10 armored personnel carriers, 4 TOS-1A heavy flamethrower systems, 4 Smerch, and 1 Uragan multiple rocket launcher systems.

The enemy has suffered over 6,109 casualties. Preliminary data suggests there are 673 Armenian casualties. Azerbaijani armed forces have also targeted military and civilian infrastructure in Artsakh and the Republic of Armenia, resulting in the deaths of 2 civilians in Gegharkunik, 36 civilians in Artsakh, and injuring 115 civilians. Preliminary assessments indicate that over 6,700 private properties have been severely damaged, over 640 vehicles, and approximately 1,110 infrastructure, public, and industrial facilities.

Journalists from both foreign and local media have been injured due to Azerbaijani shelling. A state of war was declared in Armenia and Artsakh on September 27. Humanitarian ceasefires have been declared twice, yet Azerbaijani forces have conducted diversionary actions and shelled peaceful areas in Artsakh.