Consequences of Today's Azerbaijani Gunfire

The Human Rights Defender of Artsakh, Gegham Stepanyan, informs through a Facebook post: “On July 28, around 11:45 AM, the Azerbaijani side opened fire in the direction of the Taghavard and Karmir Shuka communities in the Martuni region of the Republic of Artsakh. The gunfire lasted for about 20 minutes, causing bullets to land in residential areas of the communities. At this time, according to available information, a window belonging to a resident of the Karmir Shuka community was hit, and 8 bullet casings from a firearm were found in the yard of that house. Fortunately, there are no casualties among the civilian population.”

“The aggressive behavior of the Azerbaijani side aims to disrupt the normal life in the Artsakh communities and to intimidate the civilian population. This behavior demonstrates that the Azerbaijani leadership continues to pursue a policy of hatred, psychological and physical violence against the people of Artsakh, and ethnic cleansing,” he emphasized.

“Even brief pauses in actions resulting in deliberate violations of the rights of the people of Artsakh, as well as any fake manifestations of pacifism presented by Azerbaijan, are part of a tactical staging aimed at deceiving the international community. It should be clearer than ever for mediators and international organizations, as well as for peacekeepers stationed in Artsakh, to recognize the real motives and aspirations of the Azerbaijani side. Accordingly, any actions by Azerbaijan intended to mislead the international community should receive proper assessment and reaction,” he underscored.

“The criminal behavior of the Azerbaijani authorities has not changed, both in the past and today, and continues to pursue the same anti-Armenian and genocidal objectives.”