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The Armenian Investigative Committee is probing reports of the involvement of contract soldiers in ongoing protests in Tavush Province against the handover of four border villages to Azerbaijan.

Videos circulating on social media late on Friday showed that a group of Armenian military personnel joined protesters blocking the Kirants-Voskepar highway and refused to fulfil military duties.

The investigation identified them as army officer A.Ch., warrant officers F.B. and A.D., saying they visited the protest site along with 13 other contract servicemen following media reports of clashes between riot police and protesters there.

“Shortly after their arrival, some of the protesters suddenly announced that they had allegedly joined them and laid down their weapons, while journalists on the ground began filming them. Having made sure that nothing unusual was happening there, they soon left the area where the demonstrators were gathered,” the Investigative Committee said in a statement on Saturday.

Measures are underway to clarify all circumstances of the incident and all persons involved in it.

“Meanwhile, we urge conscripts and contract servicemen of the Armenian Defense Ministry to strictly comply with the Armenian legislation, including the military regulations, conscientiously perform their military duties, show restraint and not to succumb to provocations, manipulative statements and political calls,” reads the statement.

The Investigative Committee also shared a video message by two of the soldiers, Asatur Chobanyan and Felix Baghinyan, who denied joining the protest and expressed regret over their visit to the area.

“Our appearance there was an accident, we regret our action and express our apologies to you. I’d like to aks you not to politicize the incident,” Baghinyan said.