“This is more proof that it is impossible to talk about peaceful coexistence whatsoever,” the Human Rights Defender of Artsakh, Gegham Stepanyan, told Aravot Daily regarding the capture of 32-year-old Artak, a resident of Artsakh’s Machkalashen village in Martuni, and the violence against him. The resident was captured on July 26th. He was taking care of his animals, and while trying to find his missing cows, he found himself in territory under Azerbaijani control.
Then, he was transferred to the Armenian side after intervention by the Russian peacekeepers. As a result of medical examination, it was shown that he was subject to beatings and inhumane treatment by the Azerbaijani army, as a result of which his right leg was injured. According to Gegham Stepanyan, this violence is more proof that it is simply useless to speak about peaceful coexistence. The ombudsman said, “After only spending four or five hours under Azerbaijani control, his leg was injured, he was beaten, and he was treated inhumanely.”
Gegham Stepanyan stated that this is not the first case, as this problem exists in Artsakh now. He clarified, “There are no demarcation signs in all parts, often the citizens are not fully aware of which is ours and which is the territory of Azerbaijan.” The ombudsman of Artsakh said that the relevant international bodies have been informed about the incident- the Human Rights Commission, the special bodies of the Council of Europe, and the Artsakh law enforcement bodies have been informed, and a criminal case will be initiated in the near future to study the circumstances in more detail.
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We asked the head of the Machkalashen community, Lernik Avanesyan, about the health condition of this individual. He responded, “Overall, there has been a positive dynamic. His leg is in a cast. He has mental health problems.” The head of the community presented several details about the Azeris’ treatment of the village’s resident. “They tied his hands and legs, they threw him to the ground, and they beat him. Not every person would pass through two posts. Artak has a second-degree disability and mental problems. That is why he did not realize where he was going or why until they came, caught him, and took him.”
Tatev Harutyunyan
