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We strongly condemn the ceasefire violation by Azerbaijan which caused a severe injury to Rafael Azizyan, (born in 1997) a serviceman of the Artsakh Defense Army ,Armenian foreign minister said in  released statement on Saturday.

“This unprovoked incident caused by a sniper shot indicates that the Azerbaijani side makes a deliberate attempt to violate the ceasefire. Such incidents gravely hinder the peace process and contradict the agreements reached with the mediation of the Minsk Group Co Chairs, aimed at creating an environment conducive to peace. Even amidst the new domestic developments, Azerbaijan should uphold its commitments,” the statement read.

The ministry reminded that the incident occurred ahead of the next ministerial meeting to be held under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chairs and even more underlines  the priority of the implementation of the agreements aimed at strengthening of the ceasefire, including through the introduction of relevant mechanisms.

As reported earlier, Artsakh Defense Army soldier identified as Rafayel V. Azizyan, 22, was wounded on Friday, November 29, at around 15:15pm local time as a result of Azerbaijani fire at the protection area of a military unit in the north-eastern direction of the Line of Contact.