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The Defense Ministry of Armenia says the claims of Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) Arman Tatoyan over the Azerbaijani activity in Gegharkunik Province are “clearly exaggerated”.

In a Facebook post on Monday, the ombudsman stated the Azerbaijani troops, that have invaded some parts of Gegharkunik, have built large shelters, stocked up on firewood and concreted the roads leading to their positions. Their activity has recently increased significantly, he noted.

Moreover, according to Tatoyan, the construction of new roads continues and the number of soldiers and weapons at the positions has increased. “Active engineering and fortification works on the positions are constantly underway,” he said.

The Defense Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that there are some inaccuracies in the statement of the human rights defender, as well as allegations that do not correspond to reality.

In particular, it called the claims about the construction of large shelters, stockpiles of firewood and construction of roads “clearly exaggerated”.

"At present, the Azerbaijani armed forces units are not carrying out active engineering works, no large shelters or new roads have been built. Moreover, such attempts are successfully thwarted by the Armenian military," it stated.

The Armenian Defense Ministry also denied the claims about the increase in the number of Azerbaijani servicemen and weapons. It stated the Armenian military monitors all movements of Azerbaijani servicemen and no such changes have been recorded recently.

“We urge you to clarify factual data when making statements on highly sensitive issues with the Defense Ministry, which has been and will remain ready to closely cooperate with the human rights defender’s office,” reads the statement.