The Matter is Considered Closed: Ombudsman Responds to Ministry of Defense Statement

The Republic of Armenia’s Ombudsman, responding to the statement made by the Ministry of Defense today, wrote:

“1. We are surprised that the Minister of Defense published a one-sided and distorted quote pertaining to his own initiated phone conversation with the Human Rights Defender of Armenia.

2. The position of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia remains unchanged and has not shifted even by a hair's breadth.

3. We consider the matter closed.”

It is worth recalling that the Ministry of Defense stated today that there are several gross inaccuracies in the Ombudsman’s post from October 18, as well as information that evidently does not correspond to reality regarding the fortification works carried out by the Azerbaijani Armed Forces in certain areas of Gegharkunik province.

Furthermore, during a phone conversation held today regarding the issue, when asked by the Minister of Defense in which territories of the Republic of Armenia the works depicted in the presented photographs are taking place, the Ombudsman noted that they are being primarily carried out not on Armenian territories, but in their “vicinity.”

The Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Armenia calls on the Ombudsman’s office to refrain from spreading unverified information.