Source: www.persecution.org
Date: May 10, 2022
Nagorno-Karabakh (International Christian Concern) – A little more than two weeks since the Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day (April 24), several incidents of harassment and intimidation by Azerbaijani troops against the historically Christian people have occurred.
On May 5, an Armenian civilian car carrying three teachers was intentionally hit by an Azerbaijani military convoy. As a result of the impact, the car rolled down a hill next to the street. While none of the civilians were seriously injured, the blatant attack caused concern. One reporter commented on Twitter, “To make it clear, this wasn’t a car accident. They deliberately hit and pushed the car down the gorge.” Russian peacekeepers escorting the convoy stopped the Azerbaijani military vehicle.
On May 7, Armenia’s Defense Ministry reported that Azerbaijani troops fired toward Armenian military positions and towards Sotk gold mine. One miner was injured in the gunfire. The situation was later deemed “relatively stable” and all of the workers had been evacuated.
According to Russian peacekeepers, Azerbaijan has violated the ceasefire by crossing the line in the past 18 months since the end of the 44 Day War over Nagorno-Karabakh (Armenian: Artsakh).
An Azerbaijani-Georgian member of parliament, Ahmed Immamkuliev, has also been criticized for publishing a photo of himself flashing the racist “Grey Wolves” hand gesture on the day of genocide remembrance. An Armenian member commented, “The tragedy of the Armenian people is the pain of the whole civilized world, and I consider it unacceptable to turn any symbol associated with this pain of my people into cheap PR or a means of self-expression, no matter which side it is on.” Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu faced criticism for making the same gesture towards Armenians in Uruguay.
HOW TO PRAY: Pray for protection for the Armenian Christian community. Pray to a peaceful end to this conflict. Pray for accountability for Azerbaijani troops.