Armenia’s National Security Service (NSS) has confirmed that another Azerbaijani citizen illegally crossed into Armenian territory, marking the second such incident in less than a month and raising renewed concerns over border security and the Pashinyan government’s handling of Azerbaijani incursions.
The individual, identified as Yashar Qasimov, reportedly entered Armenia’s northern Tavush province on Monday, October 19, near the village of Aygedzor. According to reports, Armenian shepherds spotted the man, leading to his detention.
Despite the incident occurring Monday, Armenian authorities remained silent until Thursday, October 22, when the NSS finally acknowledged the border crossing. The agency characterized the incident as an accidental crossing, claiming Qasimov had become lost.
The NSS announced that measures were being taken to return Qasimov to Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani media subsequently reported that he had already been released and repatriated.
The government’s delayed acknowledgment has drawn criticism, particularly after local residents confirmed the incident while village officials and Armenian security agencies initially declined to provide information.
Second Incident Follows Violent Attack in Syunik
The latest incident comes just three weeks after an Azerbaijani soldier, Nasimi Musayev, crossed into Armenia’s Syunik province and allegedly shot and seriously wounded Armenian civilian Ani Avetisian inside her home in the village of Shaki on October 1.
Avetisian maintains that the soldier attempted to murder her and her two children.
Rather than unequivocally defending the Armenian victim, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan sparked outrage by making remarks widely interpreted as blaming Avetisian for the shooting.
The incident also exposed troubling questions about how an armed Azerbaijani soldier managed to penetrate Armenian territory without being detected.
A Border Policy That Demands Accountability
Two Azerbaijani border crossings within three weeks, one involving a violent attack against an Armenian mother, raise serious questions about the effectiveness of Armenia’s border defenses.
Equally troubling is the government’s apparent readiness to accept explanations of accidental crossings while demonstrating little urgency in informing the Armenian public.
As Armenian prisoners of war and Artsakh’s political and military leaders remain imprisoned in Baku, Armenian authorities are facilitating the return of yet another Azerbaijani who crossed into sovereign Armenian territory.
For a government that repeatedly promotes its peace agenda with Azerbaijan, these incidents highlight the growing disconnect between official assurances of security and the realities faced by Armenians living along the border.
The fundamental question remains: Who is protecting Armenia’s borders, and why are Armenian citizens learning about these security breaches days after they occur?
