Incident

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Incident

Armenians burn Ali Dede historical monument and cemetery in Azerbaijani Tovuz region

17 October 2007 08:47 (UTC +04:00)

APA reports that the arsons spread on the frontline territories under Azerbaijanâ€™s control, cemetery near the frontline and tomb of Aga Mir Ali, pilgrimage of local people, which is in the list of Azerbaijanâ€™s historical monuments and known as Ali Dede monument, burnt. The fire was accompanied by strong blasts, since the area was mined. Storm and rain prevented spread of the fire to the populated places of Aghdam village.
Local residents have not gone to cemetery and pilgrimage, since the conflict started. Armenians many times fired on them, whenever they went to the pilgrimage. Armenian Armed Forces fired on bordering villages on October 15-16. They could also 5 steal cattle. Regional TV channel Simurg shot the arsons in Tovuz.
Taking a stance on the event parliamentarian Ganira Pashayeva said that they expect severe reaction of the international organizations and the ambassadors of OSCE Minsk Group member states accredited in Azerbaijan. The parliamentarian said that burning cemetery and historical-cultural monument, which is pilgrimage of people, is the act of vandalism and noted that it contradicts all international conventions and law norms. Ms. Pashayeva said this is not the first time Tovuz region, like other bordering regions of Azerbaijan face such offensive actions.
â€œFor many years, people, who want to visit this cemetery, meet Armenian sniper. The village residents can not visit their nativesâ€™ graves and the tomb. People of the bordering villages can not engage in field crops. They spend all their life under Armeniansâ€™ snipers,â€ she said.
The parliamentarian mentioned that the issue on arsons in the occupied Azerbaijani territories was several times raised vis-Ã -vis the international organizations such as, OSCE, Council of Europe and even written documents were released.
â€œSince the reaction was not severe enough, it resulted in the increase of Armeniansâ€™ vandalism acts, not only in the occupied territories, but also in the bordering territories. They even burn cemetery and historical monument. Now we expect severe reaction of OSCE monitoring group and consider that the international organizations should demonstrate severe reaction. Such cases damage the process of negotiations on the settlement of the conflict. We will also ensure submitting the footage of arsons to the international organizations,â€ the parliamentarian said. /APA/