Azerbaijan: Attack on Church Possible War Crime

Investigate and Hold Those Responsible to Account
Ghazanchetsots Cathedral, built in the 19th century and an important building for the Armenian Aposotlic Church, after it was struck twice in the afternoon on October 8. Damage to the roof south of the main dome can be seen as well as debris on the church grounds. 
© 2020 Human Rights Watch
Azerbaijani forces attacked a church in the city of Shushi on October 8, 2020 during the Nagorno-Karabakh hostilities, in what appears to be a deliberate targeting in violation of the laws of war, Human Rights Watch said today.
Two separate attacks, hours apart, on the Ghazanchetsots Cathedral on October 8 in the town of Shushi, also known as Shusha, suggest that the church, a civilian object with cultural significance, was an intentional target despite the absence of evidence that it was used for military purposes. Weapon remnants Human Rights Watch collected at the site corroborate the use of guided munitions. President Ilham Aliyev said that the church could have been targeted only by mistake and was “not among military targets.” The attacks took place while Armenian forces still controlled the city. Azerbaijani forces regained control of the city on November 8, having lost it in hostilities in 1992.

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