"Armenia uses such kind of offensive weapons to continue its occupation (of Azerbaijani territory) and to keep civilians, including women and young children living near the contact line, under threat," said Hikmat Haciyev, a spokesman for the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry.

Haciyev said Armenia resorts to illegal means to obtain sniper rifles, buying them in the black market.

"It once again shows that Armenia’s statements that it has withdrawn its snipers from the contact line are untrue," he said.