A new incident has occurred on the Armenia–Azerbaijan border after an Azerbaijani citizen entered Armenian territory illegally. Armenia’s National Security Service confirmed the incident on 22 October.
Yashar Ali Gasimov, born in 1968, reportedly lost his way on 19 October. “Appropriate steps are being taken to return the Azerbaijani citizen,” the National Security Service said.
Armenian media had been reporting since 19 October that an Azerbaijani shepherd had crossed the border illegally and been taken to military police. Some reports claimed he was carrying a white flag.
On 21 October, Azerbaijan’s State Border Service responded to a query from Azerbaijani media, saying that “no such incidents have occurred in the territory under its control”.
The incident has caused concern in both countries following another recent border incident. On 1 October, Azerbaijani serviceman Nasimi Musayev was detained in Armenia. According to Armenian investigators, he illegally crossed the border, entered a house in the village of Shaki in Syunik province, opened fire and wounded a woman.
Criminal proceedings have been launched against Musayev. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said he would stand trial in Armenia. He also said Azerbaijan had not requested his transfer and stressed that Yerevan and Baku had agreed to handle cases involving servicemen separately from other matters.
Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan, responding to a question about the incident, said shepherds can get lost and accidentally cross the border in either direction. He stressed the importance of resolving such situations constructively.
