The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin expresses its concern over the capture of six Armenian servicemen by Azerbaijani servicemen Thursday morning in the border area of Gegharkunik Province—and which was followed also by the publication of humiliating images on the internet. The Mother See noted about this in a statement it released Thursday.

"Such behavior of the Azerbaijani authorities, which violates the provisions of international law, contradicts the universal perceptions of creator-ordered humanity, is strongly condemnable.

The events taking place in the Gegharkunik and Syunik parts of the Armenian-Azerbaijani border in recent days are an encroachment on the sovereignty of the Republic of Armenia and the right of our people to a peaceful and secure life. Such provocative actions show the real belligerent tendencies of Azerbaijan, jeopardizing the multifaceted efforts being made to restore peace and establish stability in the region.

The Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin calls on the international community and international human rights bodies to take steps for the release of Armenian servicemen and other prisoners of war, and to prevent new undesirable developments in the region," the statement also reads.

MOD: 6 Armenia soldiers are surrounded, captured by Azerbaijan military early morning