Aghdara: Ombudsman representatives have conducted an on-site investigation of a mass grave discovered in the Aghdara district, marking a significant development in the ongoing examination of war crimes. The Commissioner for Human Rights of the Republic of Azerbaijan, Sabina Aliyeva, remains focused on protecting the rights of victims of crimes against humanity and war crimes, including those related to missing persons and their families, as stated by the Ombudsman’s press service.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, the discovery of the mass graves during excavations in liberated territories provides further evidence of war crimes attributed to Armenia. Recent measures and searches have unveiled critical findings, including the discovery of over 10 human remains, believed to be Azerbaijani military personnel, at former combat positions in the Balligaya village of Aghdara district. This discovery was based on information from the State Commission on Prisoners of War, Missing and Hostages, and witness testimonies.

International humanitarian law mandates that information regarding the fate of missing persons must be collected, ensuring that their relatives have the right to know and receive information. The Azerbaijani Ombudsman is actively involved in measures to gather information about missing compatriots, aiming for the restoration of human rights and freedoms violated by alleged Armenian war crimes. As part of this effort, Ombudsman Office employees, Mugalib Mahmudov and Sevinj Shener, conducted a fact-finding mission to Balligaya village, collecting factual materials for investigation.

The materials gathered from the mass graves will contribute to a report prepared by the Ombudsman, outlining the findings of the monitoring process. This report will be shared with the public and international organizations to further highlight the ongoing investigations and findings related to the war crimes in the region.