Freedom House report sheds light on Azerbaijan’s incursion into Armenia

PanARMENIAN.Net - Freedom House recently published its annual Freedom in the World report and acknowledged a number of crimes committed by Azerbaijan against Armenia.

“In September, Azerbaijani military forces entered Armenian territory. The escalation of the ongoing military conflict killed nearly 200 and injured more than 293 Armenian soldiers; three civilians were killed; and 20 soldiers were taken as prisoners of war. Official reports included credible evidence that Azerbaijani troops had committed war crimes. While active hostilities lasted two days, the subsequent ceasefire has been regularly violated,” the report said.

“Azerbaijani forces continued to attack and occupy Armenian territory along the border, threatening the democratic government in Yerevan and raising the risk of full-scale war.

“Effects of the conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh have continued into 2022, continuing to constrain freedom of movement along some border areas. After the November 2020 ceasefire, Azerbaijani forces took control over a 21-kilometer (13-mile) stretch of the Goris-Kapan highway, the only major road connecting the Syunik region to the rest of Armenia, partitioning villages and affecting residents’ ability to move freely. In November 2021, Azerbaijani forces built new checkpoints along the road.

“In 2022, dozens of Armenian prisoners of war reportedly remained in Azerbaijani custody in 2022. Some were reportedly tortured while in detention.”