Ombudsman of Armenia: Azerbaijani armed forces deliberately set fire to territories in Gegharkunik region

ArmInfo. The Azerbaijani  Armed Forces deliberately set fire to the territories in Gegharkunik.   Ombudsman of Armenia Arman Tatoyan reports this on his official  Facebook page.  " On August 29, around 11:00Azerbaijani servicemen,  deliberately set fire to the territories near their tents, located  near the villages of Sotk and Kut, Gegharkunik region," Tatoyan said  in a statement.

In particular, the Ombudsman said that during the day the flames near  the village of Sotk were extinguished, but near the village of Kut,  due to weather conditions, the fire spread. "I would like to  emphasize that in these places there are meadows and fields of  residents, which are simply destroyed.  Considering that the  Azerbaijani Armed Forces have invaded the sovereign territory of the  Republic of Armenia, and are in the immediate vicinity of the  villages, these fires pose a real threat to the civilian population,  "Tatoyan said.

According to him, as a result of checking the alarms received from  residents, it was revealed that these sabotage criminal actions  directed against the civilian population of the Republic of Armenia  are committed deliberately. "Firstly, Azerbaijani servicemen are well  aware that they are in pastures, meadows and arable land belonging to  civilians, and that people cannot use the territories adjacent to  Azerbaijani positions, as the latter open fire when approaching.

At the same time, the Azerbaijani servicemen are aware that in such  weather conditions, the fire will spread rapidly, depriving people of  their livelihood. In addition, these actions are committed with a  specific purpose - to intimidate the civilian population>, said the  Ombudsman.

He once again stressed that the withdrawal of the Azerbaijani Armed  Forces from villages and intercommunal roads has no alternative,  since this is a guarantee of the rights of residents of the border  communities of Armenia to a peaceful and safe life.

"The recent actions of the Azerbaijani side in Syunik, Gegharkunik  and Ararat, including shooting, are becoming more and more dangerous  for civilians, are committed deliberately, and violations of rights  are massive," he said.

At the same time, it is emphasized that this message of the RA Human  Rights Defender will be officially sent to international  organizations, as well as to state bodies and civil society  organizations of Armenia with relevant proposals and requirements.