On June 15, Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan visited the Yeraskh settlement of the Ararat extended community of the Ararat region to collect facts and evidence confirming human rights violations as a result of the aggression of the Azerbaijani armed forces on June 13-14 to meet the residents and learn about the issues of concern.

The first stop was the territory of the metallurgical factory under construction in Yeraskh, where the Defender met and had a private conversation with the factory management and the citizens of India and Armenia involved in the construction works. About 130 Armenians and 70 Indians work in the factory. They gave detailed information to the Defender about how the Azerbaijani service members opened intense fire on the factory for more than one and a half hours on the evening of June 13. At that time, active construction works were happening in the factory's territory, but the work had to be stopped due to the shootings. As a result of the shootings, the newly built columns, walls, fences, administrative buildings of the factory, and equipment involved in the construction works were damaged. The employees reported that on that day, the shots were fired from weapons of different calibers, and the images were aimed and targeted.

They also told the Ombudsman that the next day, on the morning of June 14, the active construction works of the factory were resumed. Meanwhile, around 11:00 am, the Azerbaijani armed forces fired again at the workers and equipment. Moreover, people noted that the shots were from specific sniper rifles, as they were more targeted and damaging. As a result of those shots, two Indian citizens working on the factory construction received shrapnel injuries. The workers mentioned they could barely get the wounded out of the area because the Azerbaijani soldiers shot from behind the workers carrying the injured and the other workers hiding from the shots. The mentioned situation is an apparent and direct targeting of civilian objects and civilians, which grossly violates the legal standards and principles accepted in the modern world, including the requirements of international humanitarian law.
During the factory tour, the management and workers presented the consequences of the shootings, the damages suffered by the factory, and many other details.

The defender notes that due to the aggression of the Azerbaijani armed forces, the right of business people to engage in economic activity, which is internationally guaranteed and stipulated by the RA Constitution, is being violated. The labor rights of hundreds of citizens are seriously threatened.

Then the Defender met with the residents of Erash. They said that on June 13 and 14, the shooting from the Azerbaijani combat positions was intense, and large-caliber weapons were used. The shots were heard in the village, which caused anxiety, alarm, and a tense atmosphere. Residents noted that the Azerbaijani side also opened fire directly in the center of the settlement, in the direction of the Armenian flag placed on the M-2 interstate highway, resulting in damage.

Yeraskh secondary school's director reported that 129 students study there. The school is 300-400 meters from the nearest Azerbaijani combat position. According to the director of the school, the shooting started on the morning of June 14, when students were taking exams. Considering the intensity of the shots and the anxiety of the children and teachers due to their loud sound, the examination had to be stopped early, after which the teachers and children were evacuated.

There have been real threats to the residents' life, health, property, and other vital rights.

The defender notes that the ongoing aggressive behavior of the armed forces of Azerbaijan towards the border settlements of Armenia directly affects the everyday life of children, including the proper realization of the right to education, grossly violating the fundamental rights guaranteed by international law.

The defender also visited the Ararat Medical Center, where he saw two Indian citizens, Muhammad Asif, and Mirhasan Sahajan, wounded by Azerbaijani shots. After being injured on the morning of June 14, they were immediately taken to the medical center and operated on. The doctor informed us that all fragments were removed by surgery, and their lives were not in danger.
The defender was interested in their health condition and got acquainted with the course of treatment and other details. The medical center director informed me that they are always under the supervision of doctors, and necessary medical assistance is provided. The defender wished health and speedy recovery to Muhammad Asif and Mirhasan Sahajan.

The defender records undeniable proof that the Azerbaijani service members targeted civilians and infrastructures. Such behavior of Azerbaijan violates the norms of international law.

The human rights defender documented in detail the human rights violations due to the aggression of the Azerbaijani armed forces in the direction of Yeraskh. They will be presented to international organizations and actors.