«This is a serious violation by Russia» – Nairi Khokhikyan

Journalist Nairi Khokhikyan's post: “The director of a media outlet engaged in Azerbaijani President’s propaganda has reached Artsakh, entered Berdzor and Aghavno, and filmed a report. Aynula Fatullayev has managed to shoot footage in Berdzor, Aghavno, and even enter the office of the Aghavno village head Andranik Chavushyan for an interview.

Many will naturally be interested in how the Azerbaijani journalist was able to accomplish all this, and why Andranik Chavushyan tolerated his presence in Aghavno. In fact, the Azerbaijani journalist was accompanied to Berdzor and Aghavno by two Russian peacekeepers, likely high-ranking military officers. In Berdzor and Aghavno, this Azerbaijani journalist was presented as a figure from another country who wishes to portray the reality of our homeland. It is natural that no one would suspect a foreign journalist who arrived with Russian peacekeepers.

This is where official Stepanakert and also official Yerevan should demand an explanation from the Russian side as to why an Azerbaijani has appeared in the Armenian-populated areas of Artsakh under the guise of Russian escort. Do the Russians even know that this Azerbaijani media outlet and journalist are constantly engaged in anti-Russian propaganda and spreading hatred towards Russians?

The Russian side should swiftly punish the peacekeepers who assisted the Azerbaijani and apologize for the incident; at the very least, these two peacekeepers must be recalled and removed from Artsakh, as they violated the principles of security maintenance.

Let’s say I was in Aghavno at that moment and, naturally, I would recognize Aynula Fatullayev. How would the Russians later explain the brutal punishment of this man by the residents of Artsakh? Would Andranik or any of our compatriots present there be wrong if they punished an Azerbaijani journalist inventing lies on the spot, in the same manner that the enemy treats our captives? And in that case, what would the two Russian peacekeepers, escorting the Azerbaijani in Berdzor and Aghavno, say?

This is a serious violation by Russia, which will lead to a loss of trust towards Russians in Artsakh.”