VIDEO: Fires Set by Azerbaijani Soldiers in Gegharkunik Remain Uncontrolled, Ombudsman States

The Ombudsman of Armenia, Arman Tatoyan, has published the findings of the fact-finding mission regarding the fires caused by Azerbaijanis in Gegharkunik.

“According to our fact-finding work, the fires set by Azerbaijani soldiers have burned the following areas from August 29 to today in the Gegharkunik region of Armenia:

• In Kut, 150 hectares of pasture and 60 hectares of hayfield.
• In Azat, 20 hectares of pasture and 10 hectares of hayfield.
• In Sotk, 80 hectares of pasture and 70 hectares of hayfield.
• In Norabak, 20 hectares of pasture and 10 hectares of hayfield.

As of around 16:00 today, approximately 270 hectares of pasture and about 150 hectares of hayfield have been burned across all four villages. The grass that people have painstakingly collected for winter is also being destroyed. For example, the hay stock of a single resident from Kut, approximately 500 bales, has been destroyed.

In addition, a group of residents from the village of Kut have reported to the Ombudsman that they have suffered significant material damage, as pastures have burned, the harvested hay has been affected, and one resident's hay harvesting machine has also been destroyed.

The fires set by Azerbaijani soldiers have not been extinguished to this day in the Gegharkunik region, and weather conditions are further exacerbating the spread of the fires. They are located in such high-altitude areas that people are forced to manually extinguish the blaze alongside firefighting and rescue services, while Azerbaijani soldiers are creating new fire outbreaks.

All these reports have been verified by the regional subdivision of the Human Rights Defender in Gegharkunik and confirmed by objective evidence. We are in constant communication with community bodies, residents, and the relevant emergency services.

Due to the criminal actions of the Azerbaijani soldiers, people have been deprived of their livelihood, which will also contribute to the increase of social issues. There are massive violations of residents' rights, constituting acts of diversion and terrorism against the civilian population of Armenia.

The fires pose a real threat to the lives of the civilian population and all their property, with the village of Kut being the closest to the fires. The facts of actions by the Azerbaijani armed forces against the civilian population of Armenia underscore that these actions are becoming increasingly dangerous for civilians, are criminal, and exhibit a blatant intent to cause harm to people, while the violations of rights take on a mass character.