Azerbaijani Soldiers Fire While Intoxicated: Reports from Gegharkunik and Syunik

The Office of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia has been receiving regular reports from villages in Gegharkunik and Syunik regarding Azerbaijani soldiers firing shots while in an intoxicated state. This was stated by the Human Rights Defender on his Facebook page.

He specifically noted, “In such cases, the gunfire is often accompanied by special illumination so that it is visible to the civilian population, with the intent to intimidate them. Often at night, loud music is played to cause distress to residents, effectively committing acts of hooliganism.”

Reports of such incidents have been received since December 2020. The focus is on those villages adjacent to areas where Azerbaijani armed forces have been deployed following gross violations of international law after the war, particularly after the illegal incursions into the sovereign territory of Armenia on May 12-13, 2021.

Studies conducted by the office of the Human Rights Defender indicate that Azerbaijani gunfire ceases following preventive actions taken by the Armenian Armed Forces to protect the civilian population.