Les crimes de guerre de l’armée de l’Azerbaïdjan

War Crimes Committed by the Azerbaijani Government
from 27.9 – 10.11.2020

By Mariam Nazaretyan, Esq. and Haig Ter-Ghevondian, J.D.

Research compiled of war crimes committed by the Azerbeijani Armed Forces, Azerbaijani government, and, in some instances, Turkish government during the 2020 Artsakh war. It is highly likely that this chart may not include all violations. If you know of any violations that were not included, please do not hesitate to contact us.

This chart is a starting point to document the war crimes that occured from September 27 to November 10, 2020 and should not, by no means, be referenced as a source. We highly encourage you to conduct your own research as well.

*TRIGGER WARNING* Please be aware that some of the media included under the “links” section contain sensitive and/or triggering material. Some descriptions under the “example(s) of violations” section may also contain sensitive and/or triggering material. Most have been marked, but there is the potential that not all have been flagged.

International Law / Statute
Example(s) of Violations
Date
Link
Recruitment, use, financing and training of mercenaries in violation of:

Protocol I to the Geneva Convention – Article 47(1);
International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries – Article 2; and/or
International Convention against the Recruitment, Use, Financing and Training of Mercenaries – Article 5(1) and (2).
Rebels from Syria recruited to fight against Armenians in Artsakh.

This information has also been confirmed by European, Armenian, and Russian authorities.
27.09.2020
Guardian article
CNN article
Washington Post article
Wall Street Journal article
Foreign Policy article
Independent article
Instagram post of Zartonk Media
Interrogation of Syrian Merc
UN Working Group on the use of Mercenaries statement
Research by Simon Saradzhyan
Attacks targeting civilians and civilian objects in violation of:

Rome Statute – Article 8(2)(a)(iv) and 2(b)(i), (ii), (iv), and (v);
Protocol I to the Geneva Convention – Article 51(2), Article 51(4), and Article 51(5); and/or
Protocol I to the Geneva Convention – Article 52(1).
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Stepanakert.
27.09.2020

YouTube video by Factor tv
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Martuni.
YouTube video by Factor tv
Telegram message from Re:public of Artsakh
Azerbaijani armed forces targeted a civilian vehicle, seriously injuring the family.
*Trigger Warning* Facebook post by Armenian Unified Infocenter
*Trigger Warning* News.am article (in Armenian)
Rocket lands in a home where a pregnant woman was sleeping in her bed. Luckily the rocket was a dud.
Tweet from ONC3X
Pregnant woman seriously injured as a result of the shelling of settlements, gave birth to a healthy baby.
28.09.2020
Armtimes article (in Armenian)
Zartonk Media Instagram post
Tweet from Artak Beglaryan
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Martuni.
YouTube video by Factor tv
Azerbaijani armed forces targeted a civilian vehicle, killing a 9-year-old, injuring the mother.
Zartonk Media Instagram post
Armenpress article
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Vardenis, Armenia.
29.09.2020
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Zartonk Media article
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Stepanakert.
Telegram message from Re:public of Artsakh
Zartonk Media article
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Martakert. Three civilians had been killed and one was injured as a result.
30.09.2020
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Zartonk Media article
Tweet from Artsakh’s Ombudsman
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Hadrut.
01.10.2020
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Zartonk Media article
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Martakert.
*Trigger Warning* YouTube video by Factor tv
Tweet from Artak Beglaryan
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Martuni.
Tweet from Artak Beglaryan
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Gegharkunik, Armenia.
Zartonk Media article
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Hadrut.
02.10.2020
Factor article (in Armenian)
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Zartonk Media article
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Stepanakert.
YouTube video by WarGonzo
Tweet from Artak Beglaryan
YouTube video by Factor tv
Zartonk Media article
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Stepanakert.
03.10.2020
Zartonk Media article
Telegram message from Kotsnews (in Russian)
Stepanakert’s electricity network building was struck with a missile, leaving the city without electricity.
Zartonk Media article
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Stepanakert with cluster bomb missiles.
04.10.2020
Tweet from Igor Zhdanov
YouTube video by Factor tv
Zartonk Media article
YouTube video by Azatutyun TV
Zartonk Media article
YouTube video by Bars Media Documentary Film Studio
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Stepanakert.
05.10.2020
Tweet from Artak Beglaryan
YouTube video by WarGonzo
Telegram message from Kotsnews (in Russian)
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Shushi.
News.am article (in Armenian)
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Amnesty International publishes an article where Denis Krivosheev states “The use of cluster bombs in any circumstances is banned under international humanitarian law, so their use to attack civilian areas is particularly dangerous and will only lead to further deaths and injuries.”
Amnesty International article
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Stepanakert.
06.10.2020
Factor article (in Armenian)
Zartonk Media article
YouTube video by WarGonzo
Telegram message from WarGonzo (in Russian)
Telegram message from Kotsnews (in Russian)
Telegram message from Infocom (in Armenian)
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Stepanakert.
07.10.2020
Zartonk Media article
Telegram message from WarGonzo (in Russian)
Zartonk Media article
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Hadrut.
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Shushi.
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Stepanakert.
08.10.2020
Zartonk Media article
Ghazanchetsots, a church in Shushi, struck two times.
YouTube video by News.am
Tweet from Artak Beglaryan
Tweet from Artak Beglaryan
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Stepanakert.
09.10.2020
YouTube video by Factor tv
Telegram message from Infocom (in Armenian)
Telegram message from WarGonzo (in Russian)
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Stepanakert.
10.10.2020
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Zartonk Media article
Azerbaijani insurgents kill two civilians, a mother and her disabled son, at their home in Hadrut.
Zartonk Media article
Tweet from Artak Beglaryan
*Trigger Warning* Azeri War Crimes article
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Martuni, Shushi, and other towns and villages.
Zartonk Media article
Tweet from Artak Beglaryan
As of October 10, approximately 180 cassette bombs have been found in the streets of Stepanakert near civil infrastructures and residential buildings.
Facebook post of Rescue Service of the NKR
News.am article (in Armenian)
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Stepanakert, Hadrut, Martuni and other towns and villages.
11.10.2020
Factor article (in Armenian)
Telegram message from Kotsnews (in Russian)
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Martakert.
13.10.2020
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Martakert.
14.10.2020
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Kindergarten targeted in Martuni.
Tweet from ICRC
YouTube video by Patrick Lancaster
Hospital targeted in the north-eastern direction of Artsakh.
Tweet from Artak Beglaryan
Tweet from Artak Beglaryan
School targeted in Stepanakert.
Tweet from Artak Beglaryan
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Stepanakert.
15.10.2020
Factor article (in Armenian)
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Knaravan.
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Martuni.
Telegram message from Infocom (in Armenian)
News.am article (in Armenian)
Tweet from Artak Beglaryan
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Hadrut and Kashatagh.
16.10.2020
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Stepanakert and Shosh.
Tweet from MFA of Armenia
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Telegram message from Infotheque24 (in Russian)
Zartonk Media article
Tweet from Artak Beglaryan
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Stepanakert.
17.10.2020
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Tweet from Artak Beglaryan
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Martuni, Aygehovit, and Ishkanadzor.
19.10.2020
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Martakert.
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Secondary school in Gegharkunik, Armenia targeted.
Aysor article
Tweet from Zartonk Media
Photos of destroyed civilian buildings in Stepanakert caused by polonez missiles
Telegram message from SKmilitary diary (in Russian)
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Martuni and Martakert.
21.10.2020
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Zartonk Media article
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Askeran and Martuni.
22.10.2020
Tweet from Artak Beglaryan
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Martakert.
Telegram message from Infocom (in Armenian)
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Stepanakert and Martuni.
23.10.2020
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Tweet from Artsakh Ombudsman
Zartonk Media article
Human Rights Watch publishes an article that notes of the “use of cluster munitions – particularly in populated areas – shows flagrant disregard for the safety of civilians.”
Human Rights Watch article
Genocide Watch issues a Genocide Emergency Alert due to Azerbaijan’s aggression against the Armenian Republic of Artsakh.
Genocide Watch Alert
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Martuni.
24.10.2020
Tweet from Karabakh MoD
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Askeran.
25.10.2020
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Askeran.
26.10.2020
Zartonk Media article
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Martuni and Martakert.
Zartonk Media article
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Martuni and Askeran.
27.10.2020
Zartonk Media article
Zartonk Media article
Tweet from Artsakh Ombudsman
Maternity and children’s hospital in Stepanakert targeted.
28.10.2020
Zartonk Media article
Facebook post of Vahagn Tevosyan
Instagram post of Mikhail Galustyan
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Shushi.
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Facebook post of Armenian Unified Infocenter
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Zartonk Media article
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Stepanakert.
Zartonk Media article
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Martakert.
29.10.2020
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Aknaghbyur.
Tweet from Artak Beglaryan
Zartonk Media article
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Stepanakert.
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Aknaghbyur.
30.10.2020
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Zartonk Media article
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Stepanakert and Shushi.
31.10.2020
*Trigger Warning* Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Zartonk Media article
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Martuni and Askeran.
01.11.2020
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Zartonk Media article
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Martuni and Martakert.
02.11.2020
*Trigger Warning* Armenpress article (in Armenian)
YouTube video by Azatutyun TV
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
*Trigger Warning* Zartonk Media article
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Syunik, Armenia.
Zartonk Media article
Tweet from Donatella Rovera
*Trigger Warning* Tweet from Karabakh Records
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Martuni and Shushi.
03.11.2020
News.am article (in Armenian)
News.am article (in Armenian)
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Shushi with smerch rockets. In the Shahumyan region, a RSZO missile was used.
Tweet from Armenian Unified Infocenter
Factor article (in Armenian)
Zartonk Media article
Mother and child health centre targeted in Stepanakert.
Facebook post of the State Emergency Service of the Artsakh Republic
Zartonk Media article
Monument to the heroes of the Great Patriotic War of Martakert was shelled.
Factor article (in Armenian)
One Free World International article: “Civilians are being deliberately targeted by Azerbaijani forces.”

Also states that “Azerbaijan’s violent attempt to control the territory with Turkey’s backing by targeting civilians is eerily similar to the ethnic cleansing of 20th century Armenian Genocide committed by the Ottoman Empire.”
OFWI article
Armenian villager in Artsakh’s Togh village beheaded by Azeri soldiers.
04.11.2020
YouTube video by the Hot Zone with Chuck Holton
Zartonk Media article
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Shushi and Stepanakert; in Stepanakert a school is hit.
05.11.2020
Telegram message from Infotheque24 (in Russian)
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Zartonk Media article
Telegram message from WarGonzo (in Russian)
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Shushi and Stepanakert.
06.11.2020
YouTube video by Factor tv
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Stepanakert.
07.11.2020
Zartonk Media article
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Tweet from Donatella Rovera
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Stepanakert.
08.11.2020
Tweet from Artak Beglaryan
Telegram message from Anna News (in Russian)
Telegram message from Infocom (in Armenian)
Civilians and civilian areas targeted in Stepanakert.
09.11.2020
Telegram message from NKR InfoCenter
Grad rockets fired by Azerbaijani forces into Martakert sometime during the war. Several civilians are killed and/or wounded.
Date Unknown
Tweet from Donatella Rovera
Grad rocket fired by Azerbaijani forces into Martuni sometime during the war.
Date Unknown
Tweet from Donatella Rovera
Torture and cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment in violation of:

Rome Statute – Article 8(2)(a)(ii) and (iii), and (b)(vi);
IMT Charter (Nuremberg) – Article 6(b);
First Geneva Convention – Article 50
Second Geneva Convention – Article 51;
Third Geneva Convention – Article 12, 13, and 130;
Fourth Geneva Convention – Article 32 and 147;
Protocol I to the Geneva Convention – Article 75(2);
Protocol II to the Geneva Convention – Article 4(2)(a) and (e); and/or
UN Convention against Torture (UNCAT) – Article 2.
Two Armenian captives from Hadrut, 73-year-old B.H. and 25-year-old Y.A., executed by Azerbaijani forces.

Their hands were tied behind their back.
15.10.2020
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
*Trigger Warning* OC Media Article
*Trigger Warning* BBC News article
*Trigger Warning* Zartonk Media article
*Trigger Warning* Azerbaijani military forces beheaded an Armenian soldier and called the soldier’s brother and informed him that his brother was with them, that they had beheaded him, and that the photo would be posted on the Internet.
16.10.2020
Zartonk Media article
Tweet from Arman Tatoyan
Telegram message from Infocom (in Armenian)
Execution of a wounded Artsakh soldier by an Azerbaijani soldier.
25.10.2020
*Trigger Warning* Tweet from Conflict News
News.am article
Elderly woman explains how she witnessed two POW routinely kicked, one had a broken arm, and later learned that they had been killed.
30.10.2020
YouTube Video by Investigation Committee
Facebook post by Armenian Unified Infocenter (with English and Russian subtitles)
Photos and videos emerge of nineteen Armenian dead bodies, some of them handcuffed and others naked.
*Trigger Warning* Tweet from Artak Beglaryan
*Trigger Warning* Zartonk Media article
*Trigger Warning* Tweet from ONC3X
Scientist tortured and killed by Azerbaijani forces in his house in Hadrut.
Date Unknown
Iravaban.net article
Attacks against medical units and establishments in violation of:

1899 and 1907 Hague Regulations – Article 27;
First Geneva Convention – Article 19;
Fourth Geneva Convention – Article 18;
Protocol I to the Geneva Convention – Article 12; and/or
Rome Statute – Article 8(2)(b)(ix).
Hospital targeted in the north-eastern direction of Artsakh.
14.10.2020
Tweet from Artak Beglaryan
Tweet from Artak Beglaryan
Zartonk Media article
Maternity and children’s hospital in Stepanakert targeted.
28.10.2020
Zartonk Media article
Facebook post of Vahagn Tevosyan
Instagram post of Mikhail Galustyan
Mother and child health centre targeted in Stepanakert.
03.11.2020
Facebook post of the State Emergency Service of the Artsakh Republic
Zartonk Media article
One Free World International article: “Attacks on hospitals and churches are war crimes.”
OFWI article
Attacks against medical personnel in violation of:

First Geneva Convention – Article 24; and/or
Protocol I to the Geneva Convention – Article 15(1).
Medical transports helping wounded soldiers targeted.
14.10.2020
Tweet from Artak Beglaryan
Azeri soldiers disguised as Armenian troops ambush ambulance and kill an Armenian doctor
04.11.2020
Zartonk Media article
Attacks against humanitarian relief personnel and objects in violation of:

Protocol I to the Geneva Convention – Article 71(2); and/or
Rome Statute – Article 8(2)(b)(iii).
Fire engine transporting drinking water targeted.
01.11.2020
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Tweet from Artsakh Ombudsman
Attacks against journalists in violation of:

Protocol I to the Geneva Convention – Article 79(2).
French and Armenian journalists injured and/or targeted in Martuni.
01.10.2020
Video of the shelling
YouTube video by 24TV
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Tweet from Artak Beglaryan
Minibus transporting journalists targeted in Martuni.
02.10.2020
Armenpress article (in Armenian)
Tweet from Armenian Unified Infocenter
YouTube video by Factor tv
Two Russian journalists and their fixer injured in the shelling of Ghazanchetsots
08.10.2020
RT article
Washington Post article
Attacks against cultural or religious property in violation of:

Rome Statute – Article 8(2)(b)(ix); and/or
1899 and 1907 Hague Regulations – Article 27
Ghazanchetsots, a church in Shushi, struck two times.
08.10.2020
YouTube video by News.am
Tweet from Artak Beglaryan
Tweet from Artak Beglaryan
Religious monument in Artsakh destroyed by Azerbaijani soldiers.
09.10.2020
Video posted on Streamable
One Free World International article: “Attacks on hospitals and churches are war crimes.”
03.11.2020
OFWI article
Improper use of enemy uniform in violation of:

Protocol I to the Geneva Convention – Article 39(2); and/or
Rome Statute, Article 8(2)(b)(vii)
Azeri soldiers disguised as Armenian troops ambush ambulance and kill an Armenian doctor
04.11.2020
Zartonk Media article
Use of incendiary weapons in violation of:

Protocol III of the 1980 Convention on Certain Conventional Weapons – Article 1 and 2;
Protocol I to the Geneva Convention Article 51(1); and/or
The Chemical Weapons Convention – Article VII(1).
Phosphorus munitions used to burn forests in Artsakh close to residential areas with many civilians. It’s reported that civilians were also hiding in forests during the war.
30.10.2020
YouTube video by NKR Defense Army
Tweet from Zohrab Mnatsakanyan
Telegram message from Wargonoz
Tweet from Arman Tatoyan
L’Obs article (in French)
1,815 acres burned by the Azeri use of phosphorus munitions
02.11.2020
Zartonk Media article