Tatoyan Foundation, Artsakh Ombudsman publish report revealing  animosity of so-called Azerbaijani "eco- activists" in Lachin  corridor

ArmInfo. 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.

This is stated in the press release of the Foundation received by ArmInfo.  The Report findings are based  on evidence (photos, videos, testimonies) reflected in the same  report.  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.   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 that the flag of Turkey was also waved at the beginning, which was  removed a little later so that this fact would not be published (a  link to the relevant video is provided in the Report).  2.  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  (https://tatoyanfoundation.org/ovkher-en-irakanum-arcax-hayastan- tchan/).   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.

The link to the Report: https://bit.ly/3YUnlFz.