17-Year-Old Ellen from Artsakh Used for Propaganda Manipulation, Says Artsakh Ombudsman

The information manipulation was planned and executed by the Azerbaijani propaganda machine to promote false claims regarding free movement through the Lachin Corridor. This was stated by Gegham Stepanyan, the Ombudsman of Artsakh, on his Facebook page, responding to a video circulated on social media today in which 17-year-old Ellen Arstamyan gives an interview to Azerbaijani media.

It should be noted that on August 21, with the escort of the Russian peacekeeping forces, 41 citizens of Russia and Artsakh, including students studying in Armenian universities, were transferred from Artsakh to Armenia. The interview with 17-year-old Ellen Arstamyan was filmed near the illegal checkpoint of the Hakar Bridge and disseminated in the Azerbaijani media sphere.

Gegham Stepanyan has had a phone conversation with Ellen Arstamyan and learned about her psychological situation and experiences. “It is unequivocal that the Azerbaijani propaganda machine exploited the frightened and psychologically distressed 17-year-old minor in the presence of dozens of armed individuals at the checkpoint for political propaganda purposes, to which, unfortunately, part of the Armenian society has also contributed,” he wrote.

The Artsakh Ombudsman demands that media refrain from distributing the video published and immediately cease actions targeting and insulting Ellen Arstamyan inappropriately. Additionally, a video had been circulating online in which the underage girl from Artsakh was giving an interview to Azerbaijani media.