Azerbaijani Armed Forces Have Unhindered and Destroyed Armenian Churches and Cross-Stones: Ombudsman

The Human Rights Defender of Armenia, Arman Tatoyan, published a segment from the report of the prestigious conference titled 'International Religious Freedom and Peace' held on September 9 at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin.

'Azerbaijani armed forces, in addition to torturing, decapitating, and tormenting people, have unhindered and destroyed the Holy Savior Ghazanchetsots in Shushi, the Holy Mother of God in Mekhakavan, St. Yegishe in Mataghis, and other Armenian churches, as well as Armenian cross-stones in Talish, Hadrut, Shushi, and other locations. The reason is the Azerbaijani policy of hatred and enmity under state sponsorship, which is based not only on ethnic identity but also has a religious foundation. There are many cases where Azerbaijani soldiers, in videos of atrocities against people, act out of motives of religious fanaticism. It is evident that the Azerbaijani state is conducting genocidal policies against the entire population of Armenia and Artsakh based on ethnic and religious foundations. My special address in English at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin at the prestigious conference 'International Religious Freedom and Peace'. September 9, 2021, Etchmiadzin,' Tatoyan wrote in the accompanying report.