Ombudsman of Armenia considers presence of Azerbaijani military on  territory of Sev Lich absolutely groundless

ArmInfo. The criminal presence of the Azerbaijani military on the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia grossly violates the rights of the border  residents of the Republic of Armenia. Ombudsman of Armenia Arman  Tatoyan stated this.

According to the press service of the Ombudsman's office, the Human  Rights Defender and the office staff have been conducting  informational work in the Syunik region since early morning in  connection with the illegal, absolutely groundless stay of the  Azerbaijani military on the territory of Sev Lich (Black Lake). The  visit was accompanied by the head of the Goris community. During the  visit, discussions were held with civilians and the military.

The Human Rights Defender got acquainted with the situation in the  lake area. It turned out that the armed forces of Azerbaijan,  referring to some deliberately false map, violated the territorial  integrity of Armenia, illegally moved deep into the country, in  particular, to the territory of Sev Lich and further to settlements.

"This act of the Azerbaijani military grossly violates the rights of  border residents of the Republic of Armenia and is aimed at  intimidating people. On the first day, May 12, they threatened the  shepherd from Verishen with weapons," Tatoyan said.

The Human Rights Defender of Armenia emphasizes that the presence of  the Azerbaijani military grossly violates international human rights  requirements, deprives the citizens of the Republic of Armenia of the  only source of income for their families - the opportunity to engage  in animal husbandry, use pastures, and poses a real threat to  communities' access to irrigation and drinking water, their life and  safety.

"This illegal act of the armed forces of Azerbaijan once again proves  the imperativeness of the Human Rights Defender's proposal to create  a security zone that will guarantee the rights and peaceful life of  the border residents of the Republic of Armenia, the physical and  psychological integrity of people," the Ombudsman summed up.