Study Confirms Deployment of Azerbaijani Troops in Immediate Vicinity

The throwing of stones by Azerbaijani soldiers towards a civilian vehicle in Syunik confirms the urgent need for a security zone. This was stated by the Human Rights Defender of Armenia, Arman Tatoyan, on his Facebook page.

“Today, reports have been widely published in the media about an incident that occurred between 4:00 and 5:00 AM on the inter-state highway from Kapan to Yerevan, specifically in the section near the villages of David Bek and Shurnukh. Azerbaijani soldiers deployed in that area threw stones towards a civilian vehicle bearing Armenian state registration plates,” Tatoyan wrote.

Immediately following the report, the Human Rights Defender initiated fact-finding work, involving the Syunik division of the Defender's office. Within the framework of this work, the investigation of the incident on the road between the villages of David Bek and Shurnukh confirmed that Azerbaijani soldiers are indeed stationed in that immediate locality.

The information about the incident has been verified by the head of the Kapan community, who noted that the vehicle was civilian, carrying passengers, and had Armenian license plates.

The Human Rights Defender particularly emphasizes that what occurred is a clear indication of the real threat to the rights of Armenian citizens, enshrined in the Constitution and internationally recognized. This pertains to the right to life, physical and mental integrity, property, and other vital rights.

Details of this incident evidently substantiate the Human Rights Defender's concept that a security zone should be established in Syunik to guarantee the rights of Armenian citizens. No Azerbaijani military forces, signs, or flags should be present on the roads adjacent to the villages of the Syunik region and between communities.

Information regarding this incident will be separately forwarded by the Human Rights Defender to international organizations and will also be included in the security zone concept,” the statement concluded.