David Jamalian: Armenian side is in full control of situation

"We have once again witnessed an Azerbaijani aggression. Azerbaijan’s defense minister is thus trying to prove his suitability to the ‘newly-elected’ president and to ensure a post for himself in the new government,” David Jamalian, advisor to Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanian, told the correspondent of Aysor.am when commenting on today’s incident on Berd-Ijevan Highway. He was at the scene of the incident.

“In addition to torpedoing the negotiating process, Baku resorted to such a provocation immediately after the visit of the OSCE Minsk Group’s U.S. Co-chair James Warlick to Azerbaijan. Warlick left Azerbaijan a few hours ago,” David Jamalian noted.

As regards the situation in the indicated section of Armenian-Azerbaijani border at the moment, D. Jamalian said: “The situation is under control. The Armenian armed forces are in control of the situation along the border. They suppressed the adversary’s activity by taking the respective measures. The situation is relatively calm at the moment”.

Today, between 1 pm and 2 pm, Azerbaijani troops opened fire on a group of vehicles traveling on Berd-Ijevan Highway near Paravakar in Tavush province of Armenia. Armenian conscript Private Garik Poghosian, 19, died in Azerbaijani gunfire, the press service of Armenian Defense Ministry reported. Another three conscripts, namely, Arthur Andranikian, 19, Araik Zhamharian, 19, and Martin Petrosian, 19, suffered gunshot wounds.

According to the source, the Office of Personal Representative of the OSCE Chairman-in-Office Andrzej Kasprzyk was informed about the incident. Defense Ministry said the criminal move of Azerbaijani troops will not remain unanswered and that Azerbaijan will once again bear responsibility for the provocation.