YEREVAN, JANUARY 20, ARMENPRESS. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh spread a statement on the Azerbaijan subversion of this night between the contact line of Nagorno-Karabakh and Azerbaijan. “Armenpress” was informed from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh that the announcement runs as follows: “The Armed Forces of Azerbaijan made two attempts of subversion at the same time on January 19-20 in the north-eastern (Jraberd) and south-eastern (Korgan) directions of the line of contact of the Karabakh-Azerbaijani opposing armies. The provocative operations by the Azerbaijani side  especially on the eve of the forthcoming  meeting between the Ministers of Foreign Affairs of Armenia and Azerbaijan give evidence on the aggressive intentions of Baku and give a serious blow to the efforts of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chairing states directed to the peaceful settlement of Azerbaijan-Karabakh conflict .

The consecutive ceasefire violation by the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan which led to bloodshed must get appropriate assessment and decisive condemnation by the international community”.

Previously it was reported that attempts of penetration by the Azerbaijani subversive groups were recorded between 23:50 and 00:15 on January 19-20 in the north-eastern (Jraberd) and south-eastern (Korgan) directions of the line of contact of the Karabakh-Azerbaijani opposing armies. The front units of the Armed Forces of the Nagorno Karabakh Republic noticed the actions of the Azerbaijani subversive groups and started an organized defense in both directions. The rival was thrown back suffering palpable human and material losses. Junior Sergeant Armen L. Hovhannisyan died from the wounds he received during the exchange of fire in the north-eastern direction. On 20 January Artsakh Republic President Bako Sahakyan signed a decree on awarding posthumously NKR Defense Army’s N division's junior sergeant Armen Hovhannisyan with the "For Courage" medal for bravery shown during the defense of the NKR state border. An investigation has been launched to reveal the details of the incident.