One of Artsakh’s Last Armenians Shot and Detained in Stepanakert by Azerbaijani Forces

Karen Avanesyan, one of the few ethnic Armenians who remained in his indigenous homeland of Artsakh after Azerbaijan’s 2023 occupation, was shot and arrested by Azerbaijani forces in Stepanakert on Saturday during President Ilham Aliyev’s visit to the occupied city.

Azerbaijani state media, citing the country’s Ministry of Internal Affairs, claimed Avanesyan was detained for allegedly approaching an event venue in Stepanakert with a rifle. Authorities said he “showed armed resistance” and was injured by “return fire” before being taken into custody.

Independent verification of Baku’s version of events is impossible. Azerbaijan’s state-controlled media has a long history of spreading propaganda to justify its persecution of Artsakh Armenians. Avanesyan is one of the few Armenian residents who remained in Stepanakert after Azerbaijan’s military assault and forced depopulation of Artsakh in September 2023.

Aliyev used his trip to Artsakh to stage propaganda events, including the opening of a university building and carefully choreographed meetings with the few Azerbaijani settlers now present in Stepanakert. His visit shows Baku’s ongoing efforts to erase Artsakh’s Armenian identity and present its military occupation as legitimate.

Avanesyan now joins the dozens of Armenian prisoners of war held illegally in Baku. His current health condition remains unknown, as the Red Cross is no longer permitted to operate in Azerbaijan.

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