A memorial to the victims of the Great Patriotic War, a church, pastures with an area of 50 hectares and arable lands and gardens in the village of Nerkin Hand, Syunik province are now constantly being monitored by the Azerbaijani military, Armenian Human Rights Defender Kristinne Grigoryan said on Monday, March 21.

On March 15, the Defense Ministry "categorically" denied that the Azerbaijani military has advanced further into Armenian territory near Nerkin Hand, after a resident of the village said that the Azerbaijani troops entered into Armenian soil and advanced 500-1000 meters towards the village cemetery.

The Defense Ministry maintained back then that said territory has been under the control of Azerbaijan but it couldn't be used in winter because their positions had not been equipped. The authorities claimed that the Azerbaijanis are returning to their posts.

Grigoryan's fact-finding mission revealed, however, that the deployment of the Azerbaijani armed forces in early March 2022, including the installation of several tents and new roads being built behind their positions, is new. The residents have not previously noticed any Azerbaijani servicemen or positions in said area. They said they had collected wood from that place two months prior.

The Ombudsperson also said that as a result of the new positions of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces, villagers engaged in cattle breeding and agriculture are facing serious challenges.