Azerbaijan desecrates military memorial in Stepanakert 

ArmInfo. Azerbaijanis desecrated a military memorial complex in occupied Stepanakert.

As reported by Monument Watch, footage has appeared on the Internet  showing broken vases near tombstones and damaged cladding of the  fence of the military cemetery, while the tombstones, inscriptions  and images of soldiers remain intact. "Although the Azerbaijani  authorities have not yet touched the memorial, it is obvious that it  periodically becomes the object of vandalism and is under threat of  destruction," the article says.

As the source recalled, the desecration of Armenian monuments,  including cemeteries, is prohibited by the decision of the  International Court of Justice of The Hague dated December 7, 2021.  "According to this decision, Azerbaijan is obliged to take all  necessary measures to prevent and punish acts of vandalism and  desecration of Armenian cultural heritage, including churches,  monuments, landmarks, cemeteries and artifacts," the website  explains.

Monument Watch also recalled that such actions qualify as a war crime  under Part 2 of Article 8 of the Rome Statute.

The site had previously reported that the complex was under threat of  disappearance. Videos shot by ordinary Azerbaijanis show acts of  desecration, as well as ongoing calls for its destruction. Monument  Watch also recalled that since 2020, the Azerbaijani side in occupied  Artsakh has primarily been destroying monuments dedicated to the  Armenian Genocide and the heroic battles for Artsakh.