July 24, 2021 - 12:05 AMT
Armenian soldier wounded in Azeri fire in critical condition

One of the three Armenian soldiers wounded in Azerbaijan's shooting in Gegharkunik province on Friday, July 23 is in critical condition, the Investigative Committee of Armenia reported on Saturday.

The Ministry of Defense had at first mentioned minor injuries.

The three servicemen – conscript Arman Atasyan, contract soldiers Lernik Navoyan and Yurik Ohanyan – were taken to the Gegharkunik garrison hospital, where doctors assess Atasyan's condition as critical.

The Military Investigation Department of the Committee has opened a criminal case over attempted murder. The preliminary investigation continues.

The situation has been tense on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border in Gegharkunik, as well as in the Nakhichevan section for days now. Shootings take place periodically.

Azerbaijani forces violated Armenia’s border in several sections in the provinces of Syunik and Gegharkunik on May 12 and 13 and are still refusing to withdraw their troops from the area. Two Armenian servicemen were killed in Azerbaijan’s shooting, while six troops were captured on May 27, although four of them have already returned home.