Armenian Apostolic Holy Church The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin expresses its concern over the blockade and capture of six servicemen of the Armed Forces of RA by the servicemen of armed forces of Azerbaijan, on the morning of May 27, in the bordering area of Gegharkunik region, in the guarding sector of N military unit of the Armed Forces of the Republic of Armenia; which was followed by the publication of degrading images on the Internet. Such behavior of the Azerbaijani authorities is strongly condemnable, which violates the provisions of international law, contradicts the universal perceptions of humanism. The recent events in Gegharkunik and Syunik sections of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border are an encroachment on the sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia and the right of our people to a peaceful and secure life. Such provocative actions indicate the real militant tendencies of Azerbaijan, endangering the variety of efforts to restore peace and stability in the region. The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin calls on the international community and the international bodies for the protection of human rights, to take steps to return the Armenian servicemen and other prisoners of war, and to prevent the further undesirable developments in the region.