Defense Minister reports sharp drop in Armenian-Azeri border tensions

PanARMENIAN.Net - The situation on the border with Azerbaijan has calmed down, ceasefire violations decreasing significantly, Defense Minister said.

As Seyran Ohaynyan told an August 15 news conference, no sabotage attempts were reported either; every effort is taken to provide the safety of border villagers while shooting is brought to a minimum.

Also, the official said, the body of the resident of the Armenian village of Chinari Karen Petrosyan who died in Azeri captivity might be exchanged, with Defense Ministry cooperating with the International Committee of the Red Cross on the issue.

Petrosyan ‘died suddenly’ in Baku, after what Azerbaijan said was a cardiovascular collapse.

A resident of Armenian border village of Chinari (Tavush province), he was captured last week. Being not sober, he presumably lost his way and crossed the border when searching for wood. According to some Armenian media reports, Petrosyan often drank to excess.

Azerbaijan branded Petrosyan, who can hardly read and write, a saboteur.