Shooting at Shepherd Lasted About 30 Minutes: 4 Cattle Killed, Shepherd's Horse Injured, Ombudsman's Report on Kut Incident

The Human Rights Defender of Armenia received reports on June 5, 2021, regarding an incident in which Azerbaijani armed forces opened fire on a shepherd in the village of Kut, Gegharkunik province, while he was herding small and large cattle in the village’s pasture.

Through urgent fact-finding efforts of the Ombudsman’s office, it was revealed that Azerbaijani soldiers began firing around 12:30 PM to 1 PM, as the animals approached a stream in the pasture to drink. This spot is their regular watering place. Importantly, both the shepherd and the animals were located within the sovereign territory of Armenia, while the Azerbaijani armed forces had illegally trespassed into Armenian territory in that area.

The shooting lasted approximately 30 minutes targeting the shepherd from Kut. Although the shepherd managed to escape on horseback, during that time, the horse’s leg was injured from the gunfire. As confirmed by the Human Rights Defender's office, Azerbaijani soldiers stole over 80 cattle, while 4 were killed in the shooting.

The Ministry of Defense of Armenia also confirmed the incident of shooting at the shepherd on June 5. The firing ceased following a return fire from the Armenian armed forces, as noted by the Ministry of Defense.

The Human Rights Defender notes that the actions of Azerbaijani armed forces are evidently criminal. They are essentially firing upon the civilian population of Armenia with the intent to deprive them of their right to life and the opportunity to engage in livestock farming. All of this occurs in the context of their illegal invasion into the sovereign territory of Armenia since May 12, utilizing falsified maps.

These criminal acts by the Azerbaijani armed forces should be viewed as part of a unified intent considering that they carry out similar actions against shepherds in border villages of Syunik province and other areas in Gegharkunik province.

Ongoing fact-finding efforts clearly indicate that these actions, which grossly violate the rights of Armenian border residents, are linked to an anti-Armenian and hostile policy endorsed by Azerbaijani authorities. This incident starkly illustrates who is truly undermining the security of people in the region and the prospects for restoring peace.

Arman Tatoyan
Human Rights Defender of Armenia