International
Christian Concern (ICC) has learned that on October 9, Azeri snipers
killed a 55-year-old Artsakh civilian while he was accompanied by
Russian peacekeepers in the city of Martakert. According to reports, the
civilian was reluctantly working in a pomegranate garden, but was
afraid because of previous Azeri sniper fire which targeted him. His
return to work was encouraged and he was accompanied by Russian
peacekeepers. However, the sniper resumed his activities, fatally
striking the civilian in the chest.
The Republic of Armenia’s Prosecutor’s Office said, “According
to preliminary information, the driver initially avoided driving
agricultural machinery, but one of the peacekeepers offered to sit with
him in person in the cabin as an additional guarantee of safety.
According to eyewitnesses, they made several turns in that way.”
They continued, “On
the same day, a criminal case was initiated on the fact, according to
Article 103, Part 2, Clause 14 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of
Azerbaijan (murder committed on the grounds of national, racial or
religious hatred or religious fanaticism). An investigation is
underway.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh said in a statement that they “strongly
condemn(s) such aggressive behavior and provocative actions of
Azerbaijan aimed at creating an atmosphere of fear among the peaceful
population of the Republic of Artsakh and emigration of Armenians from
the country.”
“This and all the previous incidents,
which resulted in casualties among civilians or damage to their
property, are manifestations of Azerbaijan’s coordinated anti-Armenian
policy and another proof that the Azerbaijani authorities’ peaceful
calls on the people of Artsakh and claims for peaceful coexistence are
nothing but an attempt to mislead the civilized world and weaken the
vigilance of the Armenian parties,” continued the statement.
A humanitarian report released by ICC in June 2021 warned, “International,
third-party access is a crucial ongoing need, in large part because the
conflict continues despite the November 9th ceasefire statement.
International recognition of the religious freedom components of this
war is an immediate necessity. Peacekeepers are not police. They
inherently cannot and are not those responsible for responding to
kidnappings, shootings into Artsakh from conquered territories, and
other types of criminal activity. These activities remain ongoing.
Artsakh’s residents remain under threat to their physical integrity,
which has created an absence of safety and stabilization that ensures
that the consequences of the war are ongoing.”
The sniper
who murdered the civilian in the Martakert incident has been transferred
to the Prosecutor’s Office of Russia. Reports of targeted and
indiscriminate shootings by Azerbaijan from the conquered territories
into Artsakh are a frequent occurrence.
Late September through
early December marks the one-year anniversary period of the 2020
invasion of Azerbaijan into Artsakh, a majority Armenian Christian area.
The invasion occurred with the support of Turkey and was conducted in a
manner which mirrored the 1915 Turkish genocide against Armenian
Christians (see ICC’s report: The Anatomy of Genocide: Karabakh’s Forty-Four Day War).
The
ongoing threats, intimidation, and harassment of Artsakh’s citizens by
Azerbaijan constitute serious religious freedom violations, as well as
multiple human rights abuses.
Claire Evans, ICC’s Regional Manager for the Middle East, said “Azerbaijan’s
provocations against Artsakh’s Armenian Christian residents continue
despite the ceasefire statement. The targeted murder of a citizen, who
was in the presence of peacekeepers, shows just how emboldened
Azerbaijan is that they can commit serious atrocities without any
consequence. Azerbaijan has come to this position with Turkey’s support
and encouragement. The combined pan-Turkic, Grey Wolf ideology driving
Turkey and Azerbaijan’s activities towards Artsakh constitute serious
religious violations and show a genocidal intent to eliminate its
Armenian Christian presence.”
Tuesday, October 12, 2021
Man killed in Armenia while gardening
For interviews, please contact: press@persecution.org.
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