Injured in Shaki, Ani Avetisyan underwent her first surgery.

A resident of the Syunik village of Shaki, Ani Avetisyan, who was injured by a shot from an Azerbaijani serviceman, underwent her first surgery in Yerevan, and her condition is stable. Armenian public figures demand to find out how an armed Azerbaijani soldier penetrated the village.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on October 2, a court in Armenia arrested Azerbaijani serviceman Nasimi Musaev for two months, who was detained on October 1 after the incident in the village of Shaki in the Syunik region. According to the Armenian Prosecutor General's Office, Musaev entered a house and opened fire, injuring a 38-year-old woman, and medical assistance was also required for her two children. A criminal case has been initiated against Musaev on five charges, including illegal border crossing, illegal arms trafficking, violation of the inviolability of the home, and causing serious harm to health.

The injured resident of Shaki successfully underwent her first surgery. "The operation on 39-year-old Ani Avetisyan was successful, her condition is assessed as stable, there are no complications or threats to her life," the Armenian Ministry of Health told the "Caucasian Knot".

The woman is in the intensive care unit of the "Surb Grigor Lusavorich" medical center in Yerevan and will continue to receive the necessary assistance, the agency clarified.

Ani Avetisyan will undergo about three surgeries, as doctors are trying to save her leg: the bones are shattered, and the knee and tendons are damaged, her sister Arpi Avetisyan said. During the first surgery, "the doctors had to remove 8 centimeters of shattered femur," she explained.

"My sister's condition remains stable, there is no threat to her life, but we are facing a long treatment. At least three major surgeries to restore her leg. The next surgery, according to the doctors, will be in a few months," the relative added.

Authorities promise to investigate the incident

The speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia Ruben Rubinyan called the discussion about the extradition of the Azerbaijani serviceman pointless at a briefing on October 6. According to him, "the long, unmarked, and entrenched border with Azerbaijan objectively complicates the control over the movement of individuals," however, "there are no grounds for additional concerns, there have been no casualties from enemy fire on the Armenian-Azerbaijani border for more than two and a half years."

Security can primarily be enhanced through complete delimitation and demarcation of the border, Rubinyan emphasized. "In this case, the border will be guarded by border guards, not servicemen, which will allow for a more stable and secure system," he stated.

A deputy from the ruling party "Civil Contract", former chairman of the defense and security commission Andranik Kocharyan acknowledged that "there is a problem related to our border posts that needs to be resolved." How the serviceman managed to cross the border and stay in Armenia for two days will become clear after the investigation, which should examine all versions – whether he got lost or was a saboteur, the deputy explained.

Speaking about the possible transfer of Musaev to Azerbaijan, Kocharyan noted that a criminal case has been initiated and the law must be followed. "Transfer does not happen just like that; it happens in exchange for something," the politician said.

Activists demand to ensure the safety of border residents

The story of Ani Avetisyan is a "story of human courage and at the same time a question of state responsibility," believes political observer Aram Amatuni.

"An important question: why was an armed person able to reach a residential house? On September 29, the Armenian side was already aware of the disappearance of the Azerbaijani serviceman, and on October 1 he ended up in Shaki. All the circumstances of these two days must be fully clarified," he emphasized.

The investigation of Musaev's case requires special attention, and the judicial process must be brought to completion. The safety of border villages depends not only on border protection but also on the functioning of the entire system – "timely information gathering, control, communication, and rapid response," Amatuni noted.

"If there is a gap in this system, the consequences can affect the life of a specific person," he added. Treatment, rehabilitation, and assistance to the Avetisyan family, according to the observer, should become part of the long-term responsibility of the state.

Human rights activist Artak Beglaryan demanded the strictest punishment for the serviceman, emphasizing that the victims were a woman and children. "The Azerbaijani serviceman who committed a crime against the civilian population in Shaki, including children, must be subjected to the strictest punishment," he stated.

Beglaryan insists that in the event of a swap of Musaev for Armenian prisoners, "all Armenian captives must be returned." The authorities of Armenia, according to Beglaryan, "have no right to lower the bar in relations with Azerbaijan again, to make concessions."

Public figure Susan Petrosyan emphasized that what happened is hard to perceive as an accident.

"It raises serious questions and concerns, so all circumstances must be established by the relevant authorities, and the results made available to the public. For many years, residents of border settlements have faced shelling, various provocations, and a constant sense of danger. Today, when gunfire is heard less often, such penetrations can also create an atmosphere of fear and make people think about leaving their homes. Therefore, peace is not just the absence of shooting. Peace comes when a person can feel truly safe in their home, their village, and next to their children," she noted.