cease-fire violations by azeris

[Yervant1]

American Armenians launch online campaign after Azerbaijan sabotage attempt

11:50, 30.12.2016

Region:World News, Armenia, Azerbaijan
Theme: Politics

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After the most recent Armenian-Azerbaijani clashes, the American-Armenian community has launched an online campaign, in an attempt to express their views on these clashes to the American officials and politicians, informed Voice of America Armenian service.

Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA), appealed to the Armenian diaspora. He recalled that the latest Azerbaijani attack took place during the New Year and Christmas holidays, which are important for Christians.

Hamparian urged American Armenians to join the online campaign. He said that they, as the Armenian diaspora, do their job, and contact their authorities so that the latter criticize and investigate the actions of Azerbaijan.

The ANCA official called on the Armenians living in the US to contact—via social networking sites—the representatives of the American executive and legislative branches of power as well as the leadership of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group, and to inform them of their stand. He added that they can even contact US President-elect Donald Trump, on Twitter.

According to this representative of the American-Armenian community, they are trying to make sure that the attack against the Armenian side will cost dear to Azerbaijan, in terms of its international standing.

https://youtu.be/7wnTrlJcF-k

https://news.am/eng/news/365845.html

[Yervant1]

By provoking border tension, Azerbaijan demonstrates failure to abide by commitments – Russian analyst

17:00 • 30.12.16
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The Azerbaijani armed forces’ recent incursion on Armenia’s state border was an attempt to demonstrate that the country isn’t willing to respect its commitment to peace as agreed at the presidential summit in Vienna, says a Moscow-based political analyst.

“The possibility of such provocations has always existed and will always exist. And that possibility increases further in the light of Azerbaijan’s lonely status in diplomacy, and its isolation because of the failure to respect the commitments undertaken in Vienna, and later also in St Petersburg. Azerbaijan’s choice at the moment is to either increase the tension or demonstrate to all the sides that it is not going to abide by the commitments reached,” Modest Kolerov told Tert.am, commenting on the Azerbaijani armed forces’ attempted infiltration through Armenia’s state border.

Describing the incident as a premeditated provocation, the expert said he believes that the country sought in that way for Russia’s more active role as a member state of the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO).

“I think it was an attempt to pull Russia’s ‘moustache’. Azerbaijan had a pre-calculated plan to demonstrate that it acts separately from the OSCE Minsk Group and that it is for the CSTO to deal with the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. The CSTO is now politically paralyzed, as political decisions are made based on a consensus, whereas the Belarus president didn’t attend the [Organization’s] recent session. [Alexander] Lukashenko recently visited Baku, so Minsk and Baku may have approximated positions.”

“Azerbaijan demonstrated that it can permissively use any armed force, and that the CSTO is in a paralyzed state,” Kolerov added.

Asked why then the rhetoric isn’t being revised for enforcing accountability against Azerbaijan, the expert said he believes that the recent attack (which was on Armenia’s state border) should push the country itself to proactive steps instead of expecting aid from Russia.

“If we want a change in the rhetoric, we expect Armenia to apply to the international platforms and request military assistance from Russia, because the CSTO is paralyzed,” he said.

http://www.tert.am/en/news/2016/12/30/modest-kolerov/2238726

[Yervant1]

EAFJD: Azerbaijani Provocations Against Armenia Threaten All-Out War in Region

By Weekly Staff on December 30, 2016 in Europe, Headline //

BRUSSELS, Belgium—The European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD) has called on the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group Co-Chairs, the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO) and relevant European Union (EU) bodies to condemn Azerbaijan’s latest attack, which took place on Dec. 29, and to stop calling both sides to refrain themselves.

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Azerbaijani Armed Forces (Photo: Vestnik Kavkaza)

“Such an approach, becomes more and more dangerous for a viable peace in the region and as long as aggressor Azerbaijan, is not named and threatened by sanctions, it will provoke more and more tension, which could lead to a full-scale war,” read a part of the statement released by the EAFJD.

In its statement, the EAFJD reiterated its long-held position that the international community must force Azerbaijan to sign a non-aggression pact with Armenia and curb its armaments race, in order for peace negotiations to resume.

EAFJD President Kaspar Karampetian reminded the recent European Parliament’s delegation to Baku, to convince the Azerbaijani delegations to return to the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly and the Parliamentary Cooperation Committee, as well as the recent mandate of the Council of the European Union for the European Commission, to negotiate a comprehensive agreement with Azerbaijan.

Karampetian stressed that the leadership of the EU and its elected members shall uphold the numerous resolutions and decisions of Human Rights first in all foreign policy related issues, as well in its energy policy. “The EU must not fall victim to its energy diversification plans and include Azerbaijan in the process, with its dubious reserves,” read a part of the statement.

“We once more warn that, if Azerbaijan is not stopped by practical measures in continuing its aggressive and hatred policy against Armenia and Armenians, there will always be the threat of an uncontrolled escalation, which will have a domino effect in the region and beyond, with all its devastating results,” said Karampetian.

http://armenianweekly.com/2016/12/30/eafjd-azerbaijan/

[onjig]

For Yuri, Vladimir, Arthur And the Rest of My Artsakh Ungers

 

 

AYF Youth Corps participants in Martuni in 2014

BY DICKRAN KHODANIAN
From The Armenian Weekly

Earlier this month, I received an unexpected phone call from my good friend Arthur from Martuni, Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh/NKR) who is currently serving his mandatory two years in the NKR Armed Forces.

After not being able to see him during my six months in Armenia and generally not being in contact since he started his military service, Arthur explained that he had gotten a new phone and happened to be in Stepanakert for a day of rest. In Stepanakert, he had access to WiFi, which led to his call.

To provide some backstory, Arthur is a member of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) of Artsakh Martuni chapter. Martuni is about an hour east of Stepanakert. It is the region where Monte Melkonian was the regional commander during the Artsakh War. I found this out during my time there when literally everyone, regardless of age, knew who Monte was and what he had done for the people of Martuni. That and the fact that there was a statue of Monte in the town center.

http://asbarez.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/leftVladimirRightYuri.jpg

From left Vladimir Narinyan and Yuri Pharamazyan

http://asbarez.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/15540371_10210788887540448_1542717701_o-1024x682.jpg

AYF Youth Corps participants in Martuni in 2014

BY DICKRAN KHODANIAN
From The Armenian Weekly

Earlier this month, I received an unexpected phone call from my good friend Arthur from Martuni, Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh/NKR) who is currently serving his mandatory two years in the NKR Armed Forces.

After not being able to see him during my six months in Armenia and generally not being in contact since he started his military service, Arthur explained that he had gotten a new phone and happened to be in Stepanakert for a day of rest. In Stepanakert, he had access to WiFi, which led to his call.

To provide some backstory, Arthur is a member of the Armenian Youth Federation (AYF) of Artsakh Martuni chapter. Martuni is about an hour east of Stepanakert. It is the region where Monte Melkonian was the regional commander during the Artsakh War. I found this out during my time there when literally everyone, regardless of age, knew who Monte was and what he had done for the people of Martuni. That and the fact that there was a statue of Monte in the town center.

From left Vladimir Narinyan and Yuri Pharamazyan

http://asbarez.com/158649/for-yuri-vladimir-arthur-and-the-rest-of-my-artsakh-ungers/

Edited January 3, 2017 by onjig

[onjig]

3 Killed in Azerbaijani Attack on Armenia’s Tavush Region

http://asbarez.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/12/soldier11-2.jpg

An Armenian soldier on the front lines

ANCA Calls on State Department, OSCE Minsk Group to Condemn Azerbaijani Attack

YEREVAN—Azerbaijani forces attacked the Chinari village in the northeastern Armenian province of Tavush on Thursday, killing three soldiers of the Armenian Armed Forces and raising concerns with the Collective Security Treaty Organization, whose leader cited the April attacks against the “Nagorno-Karabakh Republic,” in his statement calling the incident “a provocation” against a “member state.”

http://asbarez.com/158578/3-killed-in-azerbaijani-attack-on-armenias-tavush-region/

While we are safe ,warm and well fed the boys are out there facing our old enemy, at this time to the east.

Edited January 3, 2017 by onjig

[Yervant1]

EP deputy: Baku is trying to destabilize the situation on the border during the holidays

21:15, 03.01.2017

Region:Armenia, Karabakh, Azerbaijan
Theme: Politics

Baku is trying to destabilize the situation on the border during the holidays, a Member of the European Parliament Frank Engel told Armenian News – NEWS.am.

“I suppose the Azerbaijani attacks follow a pattern which essentially consists of trying to instill the generalized feeling in Armenians that they should never be allowed to lead a carefree life around moments of celebration as long as Azerbaijan considers its situation unsatisfactory,” Frank Engel said emphasizing that he remembered when “President of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic Bako Sahakyan wanted to travel to Brussels last

November, there were attacks on Artsakh and the President cancelled his trip due to the volatile security situation - which is exactly what Baku wanted and intended,”.

It should be noted, on the morning of December 29, the Azerbaijani armed forces had launched a diversionary infiltration attempt toward the Armenian military positions located southeast of Chinari village of Tavush Province of Armenia. As a result, however, they had suffered up to seven casualties.

https://news.am/eng/news/366276.html

[Yervant1]

APA, Azerbaijan

Jan 6 2017

CMO chairman sends letter to Syrian mufti

• http://en.apa.az/upload/images/news/2017/january/06/small/60fde57b216840777414e465c80161e1.jpg

Chairman of the Caucasian Muslims Office (CMO), Sheikh-ul-Islam Allahshukur *****zade has sent a letter to Sheikh Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun, the Grand Mufti of Syria, in order to clarify the authenticity of the statement made on behalf of the latter regarding the Armenia-Azerbaijan Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

 

The source of the statement mainly publicized by the Armenian media on behalf of the Syrian mufti is unknown, the CMO’s press service told APA on Friday.

 

“As it is not excluded that the statement is provocative in nature, the Sheikh-ul-Islam has sent a letter to the Mufti of Syria to check the authenticity of information,” the press service said.

 

The Russian media earlier disseminated the interview by Sheikh Ahmad Badreddin Hassoun, the Grand Mufti of Syria.

 

In his comments about the situation in Syria and all around the world, he mentioned the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, stressing the need to put an end to all territorial disputes in the world.

 

“The primary motivation of the Nagorno-Karabakh problem is the people’s will for freedom, history of the region and a victory gained in the war. What dispute can we talk about? I personally support the struggle of Karabakh Armenians for freedom and independence. I would like to emphasize that the main reason of the Karabakh conflict is not a religion, but _expression_ of the will of the people. And it can’t be ignored,” the Syrian mufti said.

http://en.apa.az/azerbaijan_religion_news/cmo-chairman-sends-letter-to-syrian-mufti.html

[Yervant1]

Armenian Weekly

Jan 10 2017

OSCE Statement Fails to Call-Out Azerbaijani Aggression

By Weekly Staff on January 10, 2017

VIENNA, Austria (A.W.)—The Co-Chairs of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Minsk Group released a statement on Jan. 10, which—once again—failed to label Azerbaijan as the aggressor following the infiltration attempt that took place at the Armenian border near Tavush on Dec. 29.

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(L to R) Armenian servicemen Edgar Narayan, Erik Abovyan, and Shavarsh Melikyan died int he Dec. 29 attack.

“Violations of the ceasefire are unacceptable and are contrary to the acknowledged commitments of the Parties, who bear full responsibility, not to use force,” said the statement, which failed to blame either side for the ceasefire violations.

The Co-Chairs urged the leaders of Azerbaijan and Armenia to abide by the agreements reached during the summits in Vienna and St. Petersburg and to also return any human remains left on opposing territory, referring to the body of the Azerbaijani servicemen who was shot at an Armenian border post.

Responding to the statement, Armenian Foreign Affairs Minister Edward Nalbandian agreed that that ceasefire violations are unacceptable and that a mechanism for ceasefire violation investigations must be implemented.

“On numerous occasions the Co-Chair countries have pointed to the side which rejects the creation of such mechanism, therefore that side bears full responsibility for the incidents and ceasefire violations. Such mechanism will give an opportunity to cease what the Co-Chairs refer to as mutual accusations. Although when the Azerbaijani saboteur is neutralized in the Armenian trenches, it is more than evident even without the mechanism, which side initiates the attack,” Nalbandian said, adding “We hope that the Co-Chairs will be persistent in promptly and strongly reacting to any use of force or threat of force in the conflict zone, especially, when the ceasefire violations result in human losses.”

On Dec. 29, shortly after Azerbaijan’s infiltration attempt, the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) called upon the Minsk Group Co-Chairs as well as the United States State Department and to condemn the attack. “Ilham’s Aliyev’s fatal cross-border attack today into Armenia follows a deeply troubling, yet clearly predictable multi-year pattern of Azerbaijani aggression around the Christmas and New Year holidays. We have called upon our State Department and OSCE Minsk Group partners to immediately, forcefully and explicitly condemn Baku’s reckless belligerence,” said Aram Hamparian, Executive Director of the ANCA, on the day of the attack.

Read the OSCE Minsk Group’s Jan. 10 statement in its entirety below.
***

Baku and Yerevan continue to accuse each other of a Dec. 29, 2016, attempted incursion on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border resulting in casualties. Armenian Armed Forces are still holding the body of an Azerbaijan serviceman killed in the fighting.

Violations of the ceasefire are unacceptable and are contrary to the acknowledged commitments of the Parties, who bear full responsibility, not to use force. The Co-Chairs urge the leaders of Armenia and Azerbaijan to strictly observe the agreements reached during summits in Vienna and St. Petersburg in 2016, including obligations to finalize in the shortest possible time an OSCE investigative mechanism. The Co-Chairs also urge the return, without delay, of human remains, in accord with the agreements of the Astrakhan Summit of 2010, bearing in mind the exclusively humanitarian nature of this issue. We call upon the Parties to cease mutual accusations and undertake all necessary measures to stabilize the situation on the ground.

The Co-Chairs extend their condolences to the families of the fallen soldiers and to all Armenians and Azerbaijanis for whom hopes for the New Year have been darkened with the grief of senseless loss.

http://armenianweekly.com/2017/01/10/osce-statement-fails/

[Yervant1]

ARKA, Armenia

Jan 10 2017

Azerbaijani army fires 500 shots at Karabakh positions this night

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STEPANAKERT, January 10. /ARKA/. Azerbaijani troops fired one mine from mortar this night at Karabakh positions on the northern section of the line of contact between Karabakh and Azerbaijani armed forces, the press office of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic’s defense ministry reported Tuesday morning.

According to the press release, Azerbaijanis have breached the ceasefire on the contact line more than 40 times over the night by firing some 500 shots at the Karabakh side.

Karabakh border guards, however, refrained from return actions. They continue keeping control over things along the contact line. --0---

http://arka.am/en/news/politics/azerbaijani_army_fires_500_shots_at_karabakh_positions_this_night_/

[Yervant1]

Stepanakert: Baku indirectly confesses that it violates ceasefire and refuses to introduce confidence mechanisms

Wednesday, January 11 2017

Marianna Mkrtchyan

http://www.arminfo.info/mcgallery/20160912024354%D0%91%D0%B5%D0%B7-%D0%B8%D0%BC%D0%B5%D0%BD%D0%B8-1.jpg

ArmInfo. By stating that after Armenian troops are withdrawn, the ceasefire will not be violated and there will be no need to introduce any investigative mechanisms, Baku actually indirectly confirms the fact that it is Azerbaijan that violates the ceasefire and refuses to implement investigative mechanisms, Nagorno-Karabakh President's Spokesman David Babayan has told ArmInfo, when commenting on Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry Spokesman Hikmat Hajiyev's statement.

The latest official statement of Baku once again demonstrates the entire destructive policy of Azerbaijan. "Following this logic, one can say that the agreements signed in 1994-95 and confirmed in Moscow after the April escalation are senseless, because it is all the same to Azerbaijan whether these agreements exist or not, for it will behave the way it wants. According to this logic, Azerbaijan will strive to "liberate" both Yerevan and Western Azerbaijan, which is in Iran. It is nothing but manifestation of fascism," Babayan says.

Babayan also refutes the remarks of Hajiyev, who said that the provocation on the Armenian-Azeri state border on 29 Dec 2016 was planned by Armenia and aimed to involve the CSTO in the conflict. "What is that to the CSTO? Earlier Azerbaijan also violated the ceasefire on the Armenian-Azeri border. Visiting the Armenian near-border villages, any expert will see the traces of Azeri aggression. This is another provocation. I think the OSCE Minsk Group and the entire international community should react more seriously to such actions and statements of Baku and they should give an adequate assessment, because Baku's steps seriously harm the talks," Babayan says.

When speaking of Baku's allegations regarding the delay in repatriation of the Azeri serviceman's body, Babayan notes that the Armenian side does not need that body and that it will be repatriated sooner or later. "That body clearly demonstrates who initiated the sabotage attack. I see no political background here. I suppose the Azeri raider's body will be repatriated after certain procedures," he says.

He also stresses that the remains of the resident of Chinari village, who was tortured in Azerbaijan, have not been repatriated to Armenia so far and no one speaks about it.

To note, Spokesman of Azerbaijan's Foreign Ministry Hikmat Hajiyev in an interview to APA touching upon the statement by the Armenian Foreign Minister that Azerbaijan does not observe 1994-1995 agreements on ceasefire and refuses to implement mechanisms of investigation of incidents, stated: ''This claim of the Armenian foreign minister is illogical and absolutely contrary to the cause-and-effect category. Incidents are effects, and the cause is the presence of the Armenian troops in the occupied territories of Azerbaijan. There will be no cause for incidents and ultimately no reason to investigate them after the Armenian troops completely and unconditionally withdraw from Azerbaijan's occupied territories in accordance with the UN Security Council resolutions. In accordance with the substantive talks held in Vienna and St. Petersburg on settlement of the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, the technical support task such as the investigation of incidents should be an integral part of the process of Armenian troops' withdrawal from the occupied Azerbaijani territories. Armenia, in order to avoid a settlement based on substantive talks, deliberately focuses the attention on issues such as the investigation of incidents''.

Hajiyev also accused Armenia of initiating sabotage on Armenian-Azerbaijani state border aiming to involve CSTO in the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. According to him ''pro-Armenian'' comments by the former CSTO secretary general Nikolay Bordyuzha once again prove that the provocation was pre-planned. He also stated that Armenia refuses to hand over body of Azerbaijani soldier, who was killed on December 29, 2016 by Armenian Armed Forces.

 

- See more at: http://www.arminfo.info/full_news.php?id=23649&lang=3#sthash.SkGZfpM9.dpuf

[Yervant1]

“Co-chairs indirectly participate and directly disguise Azerbaijan’s sabotage action” (video)

• 15:05 | January 12,2017 | Politics
• Հայ

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“The last statement by the OSCE Minsk Group encourages Azerbaijan towards barbaric actions; it is an indirect participation and direct disguise of Azerbaijan’s sabotage action,” Larisa Alaverdyan, Chairman of Against Legal Arbitrariness NGO, former human rights defender of the RA, told journalists. She thinks that it is not only the problem of the Co-chairs, but first of all of the Armenian society. “The Armenian side should not only use diplomatic techniques, but it also should carry out deep diplomatic work. Diaspora should also act. Before making any statement, the field should be examined. How many letters connected with December 29 incident have been addressed to the international institutions by the Armenian society? Not any. We, it seems, have got used to our neighbor and it think it is normal.”

According to L.Alaverdyan, we have representatives, who are paid from the budget in order to stay in Europe- Brussels, Strasbourg, Vienna; they should start working.

She also noted that it is the first time the Co-chairs have made such an imperative statement. “Was there such a though statement when the Azerbaijani side was cutting off the heads of the Armenian servicemen and publishing them? Then I expected no statement by the Co-chairs. Does such an unequal attitude show that no display of humanism is expected from Azerbaijan? To what extent is such an asymmetric approach normal?”

She reminded that through the Red Cross the Armenian side has sent a list of 99 missing people to Azerbaijan, on the return of whom neither the OSCE, nor any other international organization has made any statement.

https://youtu.be/aMfMldu5_-o

http://en.a1plus.am/1253862.html

[MosJan]

[Yervant1]

Garnik Isagulyan: Armenia has made all possible concessions (video)

• 16:53 | January 17,2017 | Politics
• Հայ
• Рус

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Only through preventive attacks can we suppress Azerbaijan and make it understand that we shall respond to their actions ten times stronger, Chairman of the National Security Party Garnik Isagulyan said on January 17.

“I think that Armenia and Nagorno Karabakh should take preventive measures, keeping in mind the fact that Azerbaijan will always resort to provocations. It will be good if our relevant services could determine the time of possible attacks and take preventive actions,” he said.

Speaking about the international response, Mr Isagulyan said the negative reaction of the international community is normal in such circumstances. “We are protecting the lives of our soldiers, and no one can blame us for it,” he said.

Mr Isagulyan believes that Armenia has made all possible concessions in the Karabakh issue and has nothing else to concede.

https://youtu.be/gnhe1WMIDO4

http://en.a1plus.am/1254138.html

[Yervant1]

Karabakh army captures Azerbaijani saboteur

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February 2, 2017 - 00:03 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Nagorno Karabakh Defense Army on Wednesday, February 1 thwarted an attempted subversive attack by Azerbaijan in the north of the contact line, also capturing one of the saboteurs.

At around 3 p.m. local time, according to the Karabakh Defense Ministry, a battalion of Azerbaijani soldiers took advantage of foggy conditions and attempted to infiltrate the Karabakh-Azerbaijan border near the village of Talish.

Having timely identified the rival, Karabakh army border divisions launched a counter offensive, forcing the Azerbaijani units to retreat.

During the operation, an Azerbaijani saboteur, Elnur Hussein Zade (b. 1995) from the city of Barda was taken captive, the Karabakh Defense Army said.

At least one serviceman from the Azerbaijani side was wounded, a fact also reported by the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

Azerbaijani troops attempted a subversive attack near the village of Chinari in Armenia's Tavush province in the early hours of December 29. Three Armenian servicemen were killed in the attack. The Armenian Defense Ministry said it possesses undeniable evidence of violation of the state border by Azerbaijan, adding that up to seven Azeri troops were also killed. Armenia still holds the body of one of Azerbaijan's soldiers, with ICRC engaged in negotiations over its return.
http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/231514/Karabakh_army_captures_Azerbaijani_saboteur

[MosJan]

Azerbaijani captive's relatives claim he is indeed a soldier
Azerbaijani captive's relatives claim he is indeed a soldier
February 2, 2017 - 16:58 AMT

PanARMENIAN.Net - Social media users on Thursday, February 2 cited Azerbaijani serviceman Elnur Husseizade Elman oglu's fellow villagers as saying that he was indeed a contract soldier.

Husseizade was captured by the Nagorno Karabakh Defense Army on Wednesday, as it thwarted an attempted subversive attack by Azerbaijan in the north of the contact line.

Azerbaijani media outlets have already interviewed the captured serviceman's parents, publishing video footage and photo materials afterwards. Some news agencies have also confirmed that the captive is an active soldier.

Commenting on Wednesday's incident, Baku attempted to abandon the serviceman, declaring that he is an undisciplined soldier, who has retired and is currently not registered in Azerbaijan's armed forces.

Information posted on social networks matches with the personal information published by Azerbaijan's State Commission on Prisoners of War and Missing Persons hours before online publications went viral.

Accordingly, there is a high probability that the information provided by Husseinzade's fellow villagers is indeed accurate, Razm.info reports.

[Yervant1]

http://panorama.am/news_images/574/1719869_3/f5892f6aa84132_5892f6aa84170.thumb.jpg

Politics 13:08 02/02/2017 Armenia

Senor Hasratyan: It is illogical how a demobilized soldier is able to perform special military operation

NKR Defense Army spokesperson Senor Hasratyan has commented on the denial of the Azerbaijani authorities of the Azerbaijani sabotage infiltration attempt in the direction of Talish which has been reported by Artsakh Defense Ministry, Panorama.am informs.

Senor Hasratyan has noted the following in a post on his facebook page:

“Yesterday, at about 23:30, in response to the report made by the NKR Defense Army regarding the Azerbaijani sabotage infiltration attempt the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry has released a report stating that Azerbaijani Elnur Hussein Zadeh captured by the Armenian army forces have been demobilized from the Azerbaijani Army and currently he is not registered in the Azerbaijani Armed Forces.

The fact that when ending up in a stalemate the Azerbaijani leadership is ready to renounce their own serviceman and present him as someone who has nothing to do with their armed forces is comprehensible and fully fits into the Azerbaijani logic. However it is illogical and incomprehensible how a demobilized soldier wearing the uniform of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces and armed with weapons joins the subversive group, attempts to infiltrate into the territory between the Armenian and Azerbaijani opposing troops and tries to perform a special operation ending up in captivity. This is how the Azerbaijani authorities think.”

To note the NKR Defense Ministry has released a statement noting that due to the anti-sabotage measures the Armenian frontier units managed to capture Azerbaijani serviceman identified as Elnur Hussein Zadeh, born in Barda city of Azerbaijan in 1995. According to the credible information, at least one Azerbaijani soldier was wounded—a fact which was also confirmed by the Azerbaijani Defense Ministry.

http://www.panorama.am/en/news/2017/02/02/Senor-Hasratyan-Azerbaijani-sabotage/1719869

[Yervant1]

We never torture human beings to death – Nagorno-Karabakh official on Azerbaijani hostage

14:52 • 02.02.17

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The Azerbaijani soldier taken hostage in the defense operations in the north of the Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) Line of Contact is not facing threats to life or health, the spokesperson of the country's president said today, commenting on the recent border infiltration attempt.

“Unlike the Azerbaijanis - who kill and torture to death any Armenian who finds himself or herself in their country, and sell organs and take all sorts of dirty steps and actions - we never demonstrate such a behavior or pursue such policies. That’s alien to an Armenian’s civilization,” Davit Babayan told Tert.am.

He attributed the Azerbaijani regime’s conduct to “their own philosophy of state building, which anchored on terrorism, and fascist approaches”.

This year is a special year for the Nagorno-Karabakh army which will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the liberation of Shushi and Berdzor, Babayan said, noting that Azerbaijan is dominated by negative sentiments as opposed to the two Armenian republics.

In his words, the Azerbaijanis have targeted especially Talish, the village seriously ravaged in the four-day war, to distract people from the large-scale development activities to bring back former residents home. “I really wonder that after so many years, they never arrived at the understanding that it is impossible to distract the people of Artsakh from the path they have taken,” the spokesperson added.

http://www.tert.am/en/news/2017/02/02/davit-babayan/2266800

[Yervant1]

http://panorama.am/news_images/574/1721065_3/f58949f2cf28d0_58949f2cf290c.thumb.jpg

Law 19:18 03/02/2017 NKR

NKR Ombudsman visits the captured Azerbaijani saboteur

Today Human Rights Defender of the Artsakh Republic Ruben Melikyan has paid a visit to Azerbaijani citizen Elnur Hussein Zadeh who was arrested on 1 February under the suspicion of attempting a sabotage infiltration and illegally crossing of the NKR state border.

As the NKR Ombudsman’s Office informed Panorama.am during his visit the NKR HRD has assured that Hussein Zadeh has been provided with a public defender and an Azerbaijani translator who have already participated in a number of proceedings regarding the captured soldier. During the private conversation Hussein Zadeh did not make any complaints over his health state or any ill-treatment towards him.

The NKR Ombudsman expressed readiness to provide assistance to Elnur Hussein Zadeh within his powers for the realization of his rights, including the right of choosing an advocate.

http://www.panorama.am/en/news/2017/02/03/NKR-Ombudsman-visit-captured-Azerbaijani-saboteur/1721065

[Yervant1]

You think the Assbaboons would learn?

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Politics 15:53 04/02/2017 NKR

“The world can only applaud”: John Evans praises Artsakh treatment of the Azerbaijani saboteur

US former Ambassador to Armenia John Evans has commended the meeting of the Artsakh Republic Human Rights Defender with Azerbaijani saboteur, who had been captured on February 1 during the failed Azerbaijani subversive infiltrating attempt.

“The world can only applaud when captured/arrested are treated with dignity/respect. Needs to be mutual, though,” Ambassador has posted on Twitter in reaction to the Artsakh Ombudsman’s post about his visit to the Azerbaijani soldier.

To remind, Artsakh Republic Human Rights Defender Ruben Melikyan visited on Friday
the Azerbaijani saboteur Elnur Hussein Zadeh and handed him over the European Convention on Human Rights in Azerbaijani. The National Security Service of Artsakh earlier informed that the Azeri serviceman was arrested under the suspicion of attempting a sabotage infiltration and illegally crossing the NKR state border.

http://www.panorama.am/en/news/2017/02/04/%E2%80%9CThe-world-can-only-applaud%E2%80%9D-John-Evans-praises-Artsakh-treatment-of-the-Azerbaijani-saboteur/1721597

 

 

[Yervant1]

Azerbaijan may renew war at any moment - Armenian official

13:49 • 15.02.17

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Armenia’s Deputy FM Shavarsh Kocharyan, who spoke as an eyewitness at the international conference entitled "Breaking Stepanakert Blockade: 25 Years Later", recalled shelling of Stepanakert by Azerbaijani forces from Shushi and Khojalu.He recalled shelling of Stepanakert by Azerbaijani forces from Shushi and Khojalu.

“In fact, people could not even bury their relatives, waiting for fog. And few people were properly buried. People lived in basements,” Mr Kocharyan said.

The Nagorno-Karabakh population received aid by helicopters as the airport could not be operated.

“Flour was transported because of starvation there, and the wounded were transported to Armenia by helicopters,” he said.

With 60% of its territory, Stepanakert could break the blockade.

“Azerbaijan adopted a strong-arm policy and has since been pursuing it. Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev’s recent statements are enough – that it is their domestic affair. That is, Azerbaijan continues its terrorist policy at a government level – a policy that was launched in Sumgait, Baku, Stepanakert and continued as atrocities committed last April.”

Kocharyan described Azerbaijan as a subject which, “despite negotiating ostensibly”, is ready to abandon any agreement and commitment, particularly the ceasefire signed in 1994 and 1995.

He said that despite the wide-ranging criticism (that Armenia cast shadow on its own sovereignty by signing the truce), the deal binds Azerbaijan to refrain from renewed hostilities.

“What the Madrid principles say is that a mutual solution must be a package which certainly implies a phase-by-phase process. But when we are confronting a state which readily abandons commitments, we understandably (also to the mediators) are dealing with a subject for which negotiations are but a veil to hold on to its policy of infringements,” Kocharyan added.

In his words, it is now time for the international mediators to take action to avert a renewed war. “Yet, reacting isn’t a guarantee that Azerbaijan will not trigger a war. We have one choice left, as Azerbaijan’s conduct increasingly demonstrates that there is no alternative to Nagorno-Karabakh’s recognition,” said the official.

http://www.tert.am/en/news/2017/02/15/shavarsh-kocharyan/2279369

[Yervant1]

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Politics 16:03 15/02/2017 Armenia

Azerbaijan mainly sends representatives of ethnic minorities to its frontline positions_ Shahin Mirzoev

“70-80 percent of the Azerbaijani servicemen serving in the frontline are representatives of ethnic minorities. It can be stated that they are drafted to the army forcefully being immediately sent to the frontline. This is the reason why the majority of the killed soldiers are Talysh people, Tatars and Udis, as it can be inferred from their names,” member of Talish Cultural Council, participant of Talish freedom movement, reporter of “Tolishi Sado” newspaper Shahin Mirzoev, who fled to Armenia from Azerbaijan with his family, told the aforesaid to the reporters, Panorama.am reports.

He was taking part in the international conference titled “Breaking the Siege of Stepanakert: 25 years later” underway in Yerevan.

He noted that only some 20-30 percent of the Azerbaijani servicemen are so called locals, who call themselves Turks. They serve at warehouses or are cooks.

Asked whether they can reject to serve in the frontline, the participant of Talish freedom movement noted that in that case they would put their lives at risk. “They will be detained at least. In addition to that, their entire family will face hardships. Currently I am in Armenia and there they have forced my 92-year old father to refuse from me,” he added.

Shahin Mirzoev said that he and his family are feeling fine in Armenia. He said that on the next day of their arrival his wife, who suffers from oncological disease, was hospitalized.

To note, Shahin Mirzoev has requested a temporary asylum from the Armenian authorities, as being a member of Talish Cultural Council, participant of Talish freedom movement, reporter of “Tolishi Sado” newspaper he was obliged to flee from Azerbaijan due to the persecutions against ethnic and religious minorities and gross violations of their rights. The Armenian authorities have reacted positively Shahin Mirzoev’s request.

http://www.panorama.am/en/news/2017/02/15/Azerbaijan-ethnic-minorities-Shahin-Mirzoev/1727978

[Yervant1]

Interfax - Russia & CIS Diplomatic Panorama
February 15, 2017 Wednesday 6:38 PM MSK


Consequences of new outbreak of tensions in Karabakh to be more severe
- Armenian Foreign Ministry

YEREVAN. Feb 15

Armenia should get ready for any scenario in the Karabakh conflict
zone, as a new outbreak of tensions may have more severe consequences
than the events of April 2016, Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister
Shavarsh Kocharyan said.

"April 2016 proved that Armenia should prepare for any reckless moves
on the part of Azerbaijan. In fact, we knew it even before April,"
Kocharyan said at an expert meeting titled 'Breaking the Stepanakert
siege. 25 years after' in Yerevan.

"Azerbaijan will suffer heavier consequences in case of another
attack," he said.

At the moment, Nagorno-Karabakh "is focused on the process of its
international recognition," Kocharyan said.

[Yervant1]

Serzh Sargsyan reminds Azerbaijan about loss of Aghdam and Fizuli

Nagorno Karabakh | February 18, 2017 13:59


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President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan

Yerevan /Mediamax/. President of Armenia Serzh Sargsyan said today that "all possible provocations of Azerbaijan will meet corresponding counter actions”.

“Some people in Azerbaijan have illusions about the elections in Armenia, thinking we’ll be very busy and therefore, vulnerable. A provocation-based policy has and can have no future,” said the President, delivering a speech at the convention of the Volunteer Homeland Defenders Union.

“Many of you remember that in early 1990s, when Azerbaijan changed Defense Minister every week, each of them thought his duty to make a statement, saying that he would be drinking tea in Stepanakert a few days later. However, as the history proved, thanks to you and other brave children of our nation they didn’t just have no tea party in Stepanakert, but also lost the chance to drink tea in Aghdam, Fizuli, Jabrayil, Qubadli, Karvachar and some other places,” Serzh Sargsyan said.

“I say with all honesty that we don’t wish suffering upon Azerbaijan, but we won’t allow anyone to wish suffering upon our people. The issue of Artsakh is the business of Armenian people: as the Artsakh Armenians decide, so their future will be,” Armenian President stressed.

http://www.mediamax.am/en/news/karabakh/22264/

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Politics 12:20 25/02/2017 NKR

How can the defending side leave casualties in the neutral zone? – NKR Defense Ministry addresses question to Azerbaijan

As usual, the adversary initiated an unsuccessful attempt to put the blame on the Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) side for the offensive actions initiated on February 25, around 3 and 4 a.m. in the northeastern and eastern directions of the Line of Contact, respectively, which ended in full failure, the Press Service of the NKR Defense Ministry reports.

In particular, on February 25, the Ministry of Defense of Azerbaijan issued a press release mentioning that the Artsakh forces allegedly initiated offensive actions in order to improve their positions, even without forgetting to mention that during the “defensive” the Azerbaijani forces had losses.

“The Press Service of the NKR Defense Ministry informs that the above-mentioned Azerbaijani statement is untrue. Moreover, here a very simple question arises the answer of which we leave to the Azerbaijani propagandists. The question is as follows: How can the defending side leave casualties in the neutral zone?,” the statement reads.

http://www.panorama.am/en/news/2017/02/25/NKR-Defense-Ministry-question-to-Azerbaijan/1734497

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Politics 19:32 25/02/2017 Armenia

NKR Defense Ministry unveils additional materials documenting the failed subversive operation of Azerbaijani forces

 

Defense Ministry of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic (NKR/Artsakh) has released two separate footages and an audio recording proving the attempted subversive operation of the Azerbaijani units overnight to February 24-25.

The first footage shows development in Akna direction, namely:
a) the use of TROPA demining system by the adversary,
the explosion of the grenade launchers and other weapons of large caliber applied by the adversary
c) the retreat of the Azerbaijani subversive-diversion group

The second footage shows developments in Martuni direction, namely:
a) the infiltration attempt of the adversary’s subversive-diversion group and the operation of neutralizing by the Armenian forces,
the losses suffered by the adversary (5 dead). According to the obtained data by respective agencies of the NKR Defense Army, the head of the Intelligence Unit at 181st Brigade of Azerbaijani Armed Forces, Major Abdulayev, Commander at a Brigade Intelligence division, senior-lieutenant Ashimli Shakhlar, intelligence serviceman Adehuseinov and two more soldiers with one of them identified as a sapper were among the killed.

Along with the footages, the Defense Ministry has release an audio clip recorded today at the adversary’s camp.

https://youtu.be/Isx4K4NyMd0

http://www.panorama.am/en/news/2017/02/25/NKR-Defense-Ministry-unveils-additional-materials-documenting-the-failed-subversive-operation-of-Azerbaijani-forces/1734955