YEREVAN, JANUARY 18, ARMENPRESS. Following the Azerbaijani sabotage infiltration attempt at Chinari village of Armenia’s Tavush province on December 29, the Armenian Human Rights Defender’s Office immediately started to carry out fact-finding works during those days and following it in order to reveal the human rights violations, reports “Armenpress”.  

In a meeting with reporters, Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan summarized the results of the fact-finding works. “Immediately after the Azerbaijani sabotage infiltration attempt our representative of Gegharkunik regional unit has departed for Tavush province by my instruction to launch fact-finding works. I have talked to Chinari community leader, our employees talked to the villagers and analyzed in-detail the situation during fact-finding works”, Arman Tatoyan said.

3 Armenian servicemen were killed as a result of a sabotage attack and this occurred in the time when they didn’t pose any danger to the Azerbaijani side.

The Ombudsman’s Office has been consistent also in the days following the sabotage infiltration attempt, understanding that the Azerbaijani side can launch new provocative actions in that part of the border.

“On January 3, at 17:00-19:00, the Azerbaijani side kept Chinari village under shelling, the residents had to hide in shelters. And here I want to emphasize the fact that there is no military unit, a military object near the village, which means that the Azerbaijani armed forces targeted the civilians”, the Ombudsman said.

He said on January 3 the Azerbaijani forces mainly targeted the village’s kindergarten and school. “On the night of January 8 as well the Azerbaijani side fired at Chinari. Moreover, the easiest way to damage the civilians is to shell at night since people are mainly sleeping and are unable to hide or to be protected from it in case of necessity”, Arman Tatoyan said.

He also said the report, prepared by a fact-finding works results, also covers the Azerbaijani shelling of Voskepar-Baghanis highway of Tavush province on January 13. Arman Tatoyan said on January 13, at 18:00-19:00, Voskepar-Baghanis highway has been under Azerbaijani shelling.

The Ombudsman also presented photos taken during the fact-finding activities which prove that the Azerbaijani forces deliberately targeted the civilians during those days. The photos clearly show the traces of shelling on the houses, school and kindergarten of Chinari village.

The Ombudsman said in such circumstances carrying out fact-finding activities is going to be major and key directions of his activity. This activity is frequently applied in the international practice. He also informed that he is going to present the results of fact-finding activities to the international structures and a number of his colleagues of different countries.