Nagorno-Karabakh conflict: ‘Execution’ video prompts war crime probe

By Grigor Atanesian & Benjamin Strick

Videos of a potential war crime have emerged as fighting rages around the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh between Azerbaijan and ethnic Armenians.

One video posted on a messaging app shows what appears to be two Armenians in military uniforms being captured by troops from Azerbaijan.

A second video seemingly shows the same Armenians being shot with their hands behind their backs.

Armenian authorities have identified the men as Benik Hakobyan, 73, and 25-year-old Yuri Adamyan. Azerbaijan has dismissed the videos as fake.

Europe’s top human rights watchdog, the Council of Europe, has said it has received the video and will look into all alleged human rights abuses and take action when appropriate.

Fighting erupted on 27 September around the Caucasus enclave, which is recognised internationally as part of Azerbaijan but under Armenian control. Clashes quickly escalated into a large-scale conflict, with indiscriminate shelling of towns and cities and alleged use of banned cluster munitions.

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