YEREVAN, JANUARY 20, ARMENPRESS: On the eve of the meeting of the foreign ministers of Armenia and Azerbaijan, as well as the OSCE Minsk Group Co-chairs to be held in Paris in the second half of January, Azerbaijan makes an intolerable act, thus threatening the peaceful negotiations process of the Nagorno Karabakh conflict resolution. According to Armenpress, the Vice Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia Eduard Sharmazanov stated about it, touching upon the simultaneous attempts of penetration by the Azerbaijani subversive groups 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. In the result of the diversion actions an Armenian soldier was killed.

“Such attempts of the military diversion are the result of the Azerbaijan’s anti-Armenian policy and the mediator countries should realize that thus Azerbaijan threatens the peaceful resolution of the conflict. I am certain that any attempt of the Azerbaijani adventures will be prevented and will get a tough response”, - said the Vice Parliament Speaker.

Previously it was reported that simultaneous 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.