Artsakh's historical-cultural heritage severely damaged in Azerbaijani vandalism - Prosecutor General's Office

The following is an official press release by the Prosecutor General's Office of Armenia

The military and political leadership Azerbaijan, violating trilateral ceasefire agreement effective since May 12, 1994, the sanction approved under the UN General Assembly Resolution XXIX (on aggressive military actions) the Geneva Convention for the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of  War, as well as the application of customary international humanitarian law by using prohibited means and methods in time of war, by motives of national hatred, by putting at danger lives of many, by illegally killing two or more people, civilian persons of the peaceful settlements of the Republic of Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh, deliberately targeting with attacks, intentionally exploding property, humanitarian and cultural objects.

Within that framework, both in the course of active military operations and after the ceasefire agreement between Armenia, Azerbaijan and Russia signed on November 9, the representatives of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan have intentionally targeted Armenian historical and cultural monuments, objects of special historical or cultural value, destroying, damaging or desecrating them.

Available factual evidence suggests, in particular, that in the period between September 27 to November 9, 2020, the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan, by regularly targeting artillery shells, damaged Ghazanchetsots Cathedral of Shushi city, Azerbaijan, desecrating the religious monument with various inscriptions on the exterior and interior walls.  

Besides, other historical and cultural monuments, in particular, the monument to the victims of the Great Patriotic War in the village Avetaranots, the cross-stones placed in different settlements of the Republic of Artsakh, the graves of Armenian soldiers and the monuments devoted to them became victim of such "behavior" of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

After the adoption of the above-mentioned tripartite declaration of the ceasefire, the dome and the bell tower of the "Green church" or St. Hovhannes Mkrtich church located in Shushi city were destroyed by the Armed Forces of the Republic of Azerbaijan.

A video footage that went viral on November 16, 2020 featured servicemen of the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan desecrating and damaging the church of Zoravor St. Astvatsatsin located in Mekhakavan settlement (Jabrahil) of the Republic of Artzakh and breaking its cross stone (khachkar).

Another photo appeared that was shared on the internet later the same day featured an Azerbaijani serviceman vandalizing the monument to Commander Vazgen Sargsyan.

The above circumstances were probed as part of criminal cases launched subject to procedures prescribed by Article 384.2, Article 390.3 (1) and (2), Article 391.3, Article 387.1, Article 104. 2, (1) (6) (7) and 13, Article 34-104.2, (1) (6) and (7), as well as Article 185.3(1) and (2) of the Criminal Code of Armenia.

The above-mentioned data obtained in the course of inquest are being checked subject to proper legal procedures, other investigative and judicial actions as well as operatiational and investigative measures are being undertaken to collect facts pertaining similar cases to reveal the necessary circumstances suggesting evidence of war crimes and solving the issue of criminal responsibility of the perpetrators.

The Prosecutor General's Office of the Republic of Armenia also undertakes measures to draw the attention of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) and other international organizations engaged in the protection of cultural values to assess the above-mentioned criminal acts, to prevent the possible destruction and damage of other structures. as well as to undertake measures to protect and use effective protection mechanisms for preventing the further destruction of, and damaging to, the monuments and objects of Armenian historical and cultural monuments which have come under Azerbaijani control.