David Babayan on the Murder of a Civilian in Artsakh

The murder of a civilian in Artsakh, carried out by an Azerbaijani soldier near Shushi, is an act of terrorism. This was stated by David Babayan, the head of the Artsakh Ministry of Foreign Affairs, during an interview with Russian journalists in Stepanakert.

He emphasized that such actions have both short-term and long-term goals.

The deceased and the injured were repairing water pipelines for Russian peacekeepers when an Azerbaijani approached them and opened fire. "This is true terrorism. Moreover, similar actions from the Azerbaijani side are always expected in Artsakh. New attacks on people, including state officials, are possible. This is an expression of hatred towards the Armenian nation, it is state policy, nationalism," said the Foreign Minister.

Babayan noted that Azerbaijan is trying to intimidate the residents of Artsakh so that they leave, while those who are preparing to return are dissuaded. According to him, Baku is attempting to disrupt investments made in the recovery process of Artsakh.

"Azerbaijan understands that as long as the Russian peacekeeping forces are present here, there will be no large-scale war, as an attack on Artsakh would mean an attack on the Russian troops, on Russia itself. They understand that as long as there is an Artsakh, there will also be stability in the Caucasus, as well as in Central Asia and other regions. They want there to be no Armenian Artsakh, and for Russia to leave here. How to achieve that if not through such actions?" added Babayan.

In the view of the Foreign Minister, the terrorist act in Shushi also aims to worsen Armenian-Russian relations. After each such incident, certain groups in Armenia use it as an opportunity for anti-Russian propaganda, attempting to change public sentiment towards Russia. He pointed out that it is unclear why these same forces and organizations in Armenia remain silent when ambassadors from various countries visit the territories of Artsakh occupied by Azerbaijani troops. Babayan explains this attitude by stating that they do not receive such a "commission."