Four Armed Azerbaijani Soldiers Forcefully Abduct Armenian Shepherd, Claims Ombudsman

The Armenian Human Rights Defender has received an alarming report regarding the abduction of an Armenian citizen and his sheep by four armed Azerbaijani soldiers in the Syunik region's Tegh community today.

According to the report, the resident was grazing his sheep in an area at the intersection of the Tegh, Aravus, and Khndzoresk villages. Around 3:30 PM, the four soldiers descended from their positions approximately 150 meters away, yelling and forcefully dragging the civilian towards their direction, heading towards Tsitsernavank.

The report also mentions the abduction of approximately 400-450 sheep. This information has been confirmed through eyewitness accounts.

Additionally, it has been clarified that representatives from the Russian border service have been notified of the incident and are working towards the return of the Armenian citizen and his sheep.

This incident underscores the criminal actions of Azerbaijani armed personnel against the life, personal freedom, and property rights of Armenian civilians. The ongoing crimes perpetrated by Azerbaijani armed soldiers against Armenian citizens, which occur almost daily, make it impossible for people to lead normal lives, depriving them of income through family agricultural activities and causing social issues.

This incident proves that no Azerbaijani personnel should be present near Armenian villages and along roads. The resolution of this issue is urgent; it is necessary for the protection of people's rights, their safety, and the restoration of normal life. A demilitarized security zone must be established.

This proposal has already been included in an international document, the European Parliament's resolution number 2391 (2021) dated September 27, 2021. The fact of this incident will be included in the Human Rights Defender's international reports. Similarly, the Government should act, utilizing this fact to fundamentally safeguard the rights of the people.