Reports of Gunfire from the Direction of Shushi Confirmed by Artsakh Ombudsman

In response to the information circulated on social media regarding gunfire reported today from the direction of Shushi, the Human Rights Defender's office has conducted a fact-finding mission regarding the incident. This was announced by the Artsakh Human Rights Defender Gegham Stepanyan.

"Representatives of the Ombudsman visited the Armenavan neighborhood of Stepanakert, where during a meeting with local residents, it was confirmed that around 5:00 PM, the Azerbaijani side opened fire 4-5 times with an automatic rifle. This information has also been confirmed by state authorized bodies. The Russian peacekeeping forces were informed about the incident. According to the Ministry of Health and the military hospital in Stepanakert, there are no casualties from the incident.

The Azerbaijani side has recently increased provocative actions, grossly violating the trilateral ceasefire agreement, in an effort to continuously terrorize the civilian population and create an atmosphere of fear and tension. The establishment of clear mechanisms for investigating incidents is an absolute necessity to deter Azerbaijani ambitions and prevent provocations.

The assaults against the physical and mental integrity of the people of Artsakh must be appropriately assessed by Russian peacekeepers and the international community, including publicly," noted the Artsakh Ombudsman in a statement on his Facebook page.