A Group of Armed Azerbaijani Soldiers Crossed the Armenian Border at the Upper Shorja Area, Demanding Withdrawal of Forces

The Investigative Committee of Armenia has issued a statement today regarding the provocation by Azerbaijani servicemen in Gegharkunik, which resulted in the death of an Armenian soldier.

The statement reads as follows: "On May 25, 2021, at approximately 14:20, a group of armed soldiers from the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan, organized by their commanders, illegally crossed the state border of Armenia in the Upper Shorja area of the Vardenis community in Gegharkunik province without permission, with the intent to violate the territorial integrity of Armenia. They shouted calls for violence against the servicemen of the Armenian Armed Forces stationed in the Upper Shorja area, demanded that no resistance be shown and that the area be vacated. During this, they deliberately opened fire towards the Armenian soldiers, resulting in the wounding of Junior Sergeant Gevorg Yuriy Kureshudyants, born in 1989, in the abdomen. He was transported to the garrison hospital in Gegharkunik, where his biological death was recorded at 15:20."

A criminal case has been initiated at the military prosecutor's office of the Sevan garrison on the conditions of Articles 329, 300.2, and 104 of the Armenian Criminal Code. The case has been transferred to the fifth investigative division of the Armed Forces Investigative Committee for further inquiry.

Investigations are underway.