Stepanakert must take steps to ascertain fate of the crewmembers of Armenian Mi-24 helicopter that was downed by the Azerbaijani armed forces while making a training flight, Eduard Sharmazanov, Vice Speaker of Armenian Parliament, told reporters, Wednesday.
"What will be Nagorno Karabakh's steps depends on Baku's behavior and its ability to assess the situation soberly," he said. Sharmazanov qualified the permanent shelling at the crash site by Azerbaijani forces as inhumane and provocative.
"With such kind of actions Baku directly violates international legal norms, particularly, the Geneva Convention. Hence, the world community must exert pressure on Azerbaijan," Sharmazanov said. In such situation, he said, Baku will be responsible for possible upsurge of tensions in the Karabakh conflict zone.
Armenian military is still unable to approach the wreckage of the Mi-24 helicopter and the three members of its crew presumed dead, although a week has passed already. Azerbaijan party did not provide security guarantees to OSCE CiO PR Andrzej Kasprzyk, who wished to approach the helicopter wreckage.
To remind, the Azerbaijani armed forces downed an Armenian Mi-24 while it was conducting a training flight near the Line on Contact on 12 November. Three officers of the NKR Armed Forces, Sergey Sahakyan, Sargis Nazaryan and Azat Sahakyan, were on board. The NKR State Committee for POWs, Captives and the Missing has requested the ICRC assistance in returning the crewmembers of the downed helicopter. The Azeri officer that shot the helicopter down has been awarded a medal.