The version of Yashar Kasimov's accidental crossing of the border is questioned.

The version that Yashar Kasimov allegedly accidentally crossed the border of Armenia and that he is an Azerbaijani shepherd seems implausible because he was without sheep, social media users stated. They pointed to the humane treatment of Kasimov, who was subsequently returned to Baku by Yerevan.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on October 24, Armenia handed over the shepherd Yashar Ali oglu Kasimov, a resident of the village of Chatakh in the Tovuz district, to Azerbaijan. The man was discovered by law enforcement on October 19 in the Tavush region of Armenia, where he, according to the Armenian National Security Service, ended up after getting lost while crossing the border.

Commentators doubted the version of the lost shepherd

A post about the return of Yashar Kasimov to Azerbaijan was published on October 26 on the "Caucasian Knot" page on Facebook*. Commentators debated the circumstances of his appearance on the territory of Armenia and the attitude towards people who found themselves on the other side of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border.

Some participants in the discussion doubted that the shepherd could have gotten lost and suggested that he intentionally crossed the border. Others questioned whether the man had been subjected to cruel treatment and compared his situation to the possible fate of Armenian residents in a similar situation.

As of 13:30 Moscow time on October 28, this post on the "Caucasian Knot" page on Facebook*, which has about 164 thousand followers, received 59 reactions and 188 comments.

Some participants in the discussion suggested that the Azerbaijani could have crossed the border intentionally. "He is a spy, not a lost shepherd," stated Marina Mamikonyan.

Other users pointed out the circumstances of the shepherd's appearance on Armenian territory. "A shepherd without sheep?" asked Azar Gasanov.

"Interestingly, the rams didn't get lost, but the shepherd did," wrote Yvvuu Gugui.

Another topic of discussion was the treatment of the detained individual and the attitude of the two countries towards the residents of the neighboring state. "We hope he wasn't harmed there," wrote Firdovsi Memmedov.

"We don't harm anyone, we are kind, peaceful people," replied Karine Meliqyan.

In turn, Martirosyan Anush questioned how Azerbaijan would treat Armenian shepherds or military personnel if they similarly found themselves on the other side of the border.

Stories of lost residents generate resonance

Residents of Armenia and Azerbaijan regularly find themselves on the territory of the neighboring state. Moreover, cases of crossing the Armenian-Azerbaijani border over the years have ended with either their return after negotiations or criminal prosecution.

For instance, on October 1 of this year, the story of Azerbaijani serviceman Nasimi Musaev, who was detained after an armed incident in the village of Shaki in the Syunik region, caused a wide resonance. According to the Armenian Prosecutor General's Office, Musaev illegally entered a residential house and opened fire, injuring a local resident Ani Avetisyan. Later, the woman reported that during the confrontation with the armed Musaev, she lost a finger and sustained a gunshot wound.

On October 2, the court placed Nasimi Musaev in custody for two months. The Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan reported that the serviceman had deserted and had been wanted since September 26. The version that Musaev might have accidentally crossed the border sparked debate among social media users. Some residents surveyed in Yerevan demanded that the serviceman be tried and punished in Armenia, while others suggested exchanging him for Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan.

In other cases, people who got lost in border areas were returned after negotiations. For example, on July 22, 2021, Russian peacekeepers helped return an Armenian shepherd from Karabakh who got lost and ended up on territory controlled by Azerbaijan. According to the ombudsman of Karabakh Gegam Stepanyan, the shepherd was returned the same day, and a preliminary examination revealed no bodily injuries.

On June 12, 2021, two residents of the village of Teg in the Syunik region of Armenia found themselves on the territory of Azerbaijan during agricultural work. After negotiations involving Armenian military and Russian peacekeepers, the Azerbaijani side released the villagers and returned their tractors.

In November 2012, an Azerbaijani shepherd Telman Aliyev was detained in Armenia, who, according to the Azerbaijani Ministry of Internal Affairs, got lost in the fog and crossed the border. Aliyev was visited by Red Cross staff, and on November 30, 2012, the Armenian side announced its decision to hand him over to Azerbaijan.