Azerbaijan opens fire near Karabakh civilian settlement

PanARMENIAN.Net - The Azerbaijani military on Thursday, December 2 opened fire from their positions near Karmir Shuka community of Martuni region, Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), which lasted for about 10-15 minutes, Karabakh Ombudsman Gegham Stepanyan reveals.

Stepanyan said the Azeri troops used mainly firearms, with shots heard in the residential part of the community and bullets reaching the gardens of civilians. No cases of human or material damage were reported as a result of the shootings, the Ombudsman said.

"The Azerbaijani side, violating the ceasefire established by the Trilateral Statement, continues its criminal actions against the rights of the people of Artsakh, violating the right to life of the civilian population, psychological & physical inviolability," Stepanyan said.

"After the establishment of the ceasefire, we have repeatedly stated that with such criminal actions the Azerbaijani side seeks to intimidate the people living in Artsakh, to achieve the eviction of Armenians from Artsakh by creating an atmosphere of fear and despair."

The Human Rights Defender believes that in order to curb the criminal actions of the Azerbaijani side, the immediate removal of the Azerbaijani armed positions from the vicinity of the peaceful settlements of Artsakh, and the introduction of impartial investigation mechanisms of ceasefire violations is an "urgent need".