The Azerbaijani armed forces that have invaded the Armenia's Gegharkunik region since mid-May, have built large shelters, accumulated a large amount of firewood, and paved the roads leading to their new positions, Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan said Monday, October 18.

"Their activity has recently increased sharply. Moreover, they continue to build new roads, increase the number of servicemen and the amount of weapons in their positions. They are constantly carrying out active engineering work," Tatoyan said in a statement.

"They are physically standing in the very lands that belong to the citizens of the Republic of Armenia with the rights established by legal documents."

Citing an extensive body of evidence, Tatoyan said the Azerbaijani troops are terrorizing the Armenian civilian population, opening fire on their homes, setting fire to the pastures and stacks of hay.

"The presence of the Azerbaijani armed forces in the vicinity of the villages of the Republic of Armenia and in the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia is openly criminal, violates the vital rights of the villagers to live safely, to own property and make money. Their presence disrupts the peaceful life of the people," Tatoyan said.

"Therefore, the process of creating a demilitarized security zone around the borders of the Republic of Armenia, the immediate removal of Azerbaijani servicemen from the vicinity of the villages of the Republic of Armenia and the roads between the communities must begin immediately."