The topic of “Aravot” online on the air is discussed between Executive Director of “Against Legal Arbitrariness” NGO, Larisa Alaverdyan, and publicist, former freedom fighter, Sarkis Hatspanian.
Aram Abrahamyan – About 10 days ago, Azerbaijan armed citizens intruded Karvachar region of Nagorno-Karabakh Republic and committed crimes. This time, I have decided to start form users’ questions. Hovik Afyan asks if Azerbaijanis have been arrested in the Armenian control zone, not when passing through our territory, then can we say that the Armenian side failed to prevent the attempt of subversive act by Azerbaijanis.
Larisa Alaverdyan – Of course, they failed. If it had happened right on the border, we would say that everything has been done, and that at that time no border crossing has occurred. In that case, it is possible that we would not have a victim or victims. Ultimately, we should make it clear that, certainly, one of our most vulnerable sides is our border, its defense, and in this regard, territorial security and safety of people residing in that territory.
A. A. – Since you are, literally, men who have fought there, can you tell what the border is by itself, where they can pass through, and whether it is not possible to do the same from Armenia.
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Sarkis Hatspanian – This region lies to the north from Karvatchar, and Mrav mountains are to the north-east, a section called Omar mountain pass, from where it is impossible to pass through, the geographical location does not allow. All transition paths are about 3 of them. All mountain heights are under the control of Armenian forces, where a person can go walking, creeping and so on. The rest of the posts are unavailable, mountains and valleys that are impossible to climb for hours, and climb down for hours, you cannot go by groups, it could be 1 or 2. If they have passed through, the problem is how they did it. But, they could enter from the Republic of Armenia, from Vardenis to Berd area.
A. A. – Can Azerbaijanis enter Vardenis through Azerbaijan-Armenia border?
S. H. – Yes, there is a border, but this border, as they say, “only the name is there and nothing more.”
L. A. – Really, it would be good if the investigation or examination has determined where they had passed through, because legally, a new situation will be created, if they have first crossed the border of the Republic of Armenia.
S. H. – I must say that as I have close friends in the military staff, I am a little more informed than the public about such attempts of border-crossings in the last 8,5 and 9 months, several times from Martakert region to Shahumyan, not this Karvachar region, from Agdam. Theu had entered unnoticed, probably they are anti-intelligence groups, but small-size, consisting of 2-3 people, or at most, 4 people, when one stands at a point, the rest move forward some 5-6 km, they are in touch with their friend. This emerges from the food they ate, where and what they ate, stayed and slept; all these things are found by our anti-intelligence battalion soldiers. It is a military area, since our people have not done it, then they have done it, it is impossible to find there leftover of fresh food, cigarettes and so on, such a situation has happened in the last few years.
Prepared by ARAM ABRAHAMYAN
“Face to Face” talk show series are released by the Open Society Foundations- Armenia. The views and analyzes found in this broadcast express the opinions of the participants, and are not approved by the Open Society Foundations-Armenia, or its Board. This broadcast is made available thanks to comprehensive financial support by the Open Society Foundations-Armenia, under the mass media support program, grant No 18624.
