In the [almost] 300-page report, we have placed the evidence that confirms the direct connection of the “eco-activists”, who blockaded the road of life path connecting Artsakh with the world, with the Azerbaijani government and their animosity.
The link to the Report:
The Center for Law and Justice “Tatoyan” Foundation and the Human Rights Defender of Artsakh published a joint report [English], revealing the animosity of the so-called “eco-activists”, who blocked the only road of life connecting Artsakh to Armenia and the outside world, towards Armenia and Artsakh, the real motivation of hatred and that they were sent by the Azerbaijani authorities, as well as that they have never had any relation to environmental issues.
The Report findings are based on evidence (photos, videos, testimonies) reflected in the same report.
In particular, the main parts of the joint report are as follows:
1. In the first days of closing the road, Turkish and Azerbaijani workers engaged in Shushi, as well as Azerbaijani military and security personnel, were brought to that area. It is no coincidence that the flag of Turkey was also waved at the beginning, which was removed a little later so that this fact would not be published (a link to the relevant video is provided in the Report).
After that, the Azerbaijani authorities brought people who were officially presented as representatives of non-governmental and media organizations, but in reality they are also financed from the state budget of Azerbaijan, from the funds created by the state, and in some cases, NGOs operate with foreign funding. There are also state-controlled media agencies. Previously, we had already published some facts.
2. The biographies of “eco-activists” have been the subject of a detailed study in Azerbaijani during these months and it has been found that they never had anything to do with environmental issues and that in fact they pursue political goals (establishment of Azerbaijani checkpoints, etc.) at the instigation of the Azerbaijani authorities.
3. Studying the pages of “eco-activist” agents of the Azerbaijani Government in social media shows that they spread hatred, animosity, and violence against Armenians, and there are sympathizers and spreaders of ideas of the “Grey Wolves” extremist nationalist terrorist organization in their ranks. Some of them are ex-military.
These people published pictures of bodies of killed and tortured Armenian servicemen on their pages, thus showing their joy and enthusiasm.
There are even pictures where an Azerbaijani soldier holds an Armenian’s head in his hands after beheading him.
4. The Report also substantiates that without the special permission of the Azerbaijani authorities, these agents could not have appeared in Artsakh and even tried to blockade the road.
5. The report even contains testimonies of foreigners whom the Azerbaijani authorities took as tourists to the territories under their control after the 44-Day War. However, those people, having appeared in the section of the blocked road, also emphasize that the action of the Azerbaijani “eco-activists” has nothing to do with environmental issues. According to them, environmental issues are just a geopolitical tool here. Moreover, foreign tourists even talk about the media or media under the control of the Azerbaijani government (the evidence is in the report).
Throughout the preparation of this joint report, the chief prosecutor of Artsakh, Mr. Gurgen Nersisyan, provided important support in the matter of the analyzed evidence, the verification of that evidence, and the acquisition of new facts.
Crucial support in legal analyses of the report was provided by international lawyers Mr. Garo Ghazarian and Mr. Karnig Kerkonian.
The support of the international investigative journalist Ms. Lindsay Snell was crucial in obtaining and analyzing the facts.
We thank our partners for this irreplaceable support.
The report will be sent to international organizations.
Center for Law and Justice “Tatoyan” foundation
