Ombudsman: Azerbaijani atrocities coupled with deliberate attacks on cultural and religious heritage in Artsakh

Within the framework of the fact-finding mission carried out by the staff of Artsakh Human Rights Ombudsman Artak Beglaryan, an ad hoc public report was released on "The Azerbaijani targeted attacks against the St. Ghazanchetsots (Holy Savior) Cathedral of Shushi, Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) as a war crime and crime against humanity”. The report is available in English, the Ombudsman’s Office said.

The report presents the facts on targeted attacks on the St. Holy Savior Cathedral of Shushi, analyzing it in the context of the international humanitarian law and international criminal law.

The presented facts reasonably prove that the Azerbaijani atrocities against the Artsakh population launched since 27 September are accompanied by deliberate attacks on the Armenian cultural and religious heritage in the territory of Artsakh.

On October 8, the Azerbaijani armed forces, twice within a few hours with the use of combat and manageable drones, struck the Ghazanchetsots Cathedral in the town of Shushi, which is the recognizable cultural and religious symbol of Artsakh.

This act of Azerbaijan is in line with the state policy of Armenaphobia and ethnic cleansing in Azerbaijan. It also demonstrates continuous radical disrespect towards the Christian heritage of Armenian identity, the office said.

The content of the report is available here.