Numerous inaccuracies exist in the statement: Ministry of Defense on MIA's declaration

On October 18, the Human Rights Defender of Armenia made a statement regarding the construction activities being undertaken by representatives of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces who infiltrated certain areas of Gegharkunik Province in May of this year. The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia has reported on this matter.

The statement contains several inaccuracies as well as claims that are detached from reality. Specifically, the Human Rights Defender’s statement mentions that “the Azerbaijani armed forces that have invaded the Gegharkunik province of Armenia have constructed large shelters, stockpiled a large amount of firewood, and have concreted the roads leading to their positions. Their activity has sharply increased recently. Furthermore, they continue to construct new roads, have increased the number of servicemen and their armaments at their positions, and continually engage in fortification and engineering activities.”

These claims in the Human Rights Defender’s statement are clearly exaggerated, as there are no engineering activities being conducted by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces' units, nor have large shelters or new roads been constructed; moreover, attempts by them to undertake such works have been successfully prevented by the Armenian Armed Forces' units.

Regarding the assertion about the increase in the number of Azerbaijani servicemen and their armaments, it should be noted that all movements of Azerbaijani servicemen are monitored by the Armenian Armed Forces' units, and such processes have not been recorded recently.

We urge that when making similar statements on sensitive issues for our society, factual data should also be verified with the defense agency, which, as it has been throughout this time, is ready for close cooperation with the Human Rights Defender's office in the future.