French periodical addresses the issue of Armenian prisoners held in Baku

The prestigious French periodical "Nouvelles d'Arménie" has addressed the issue of Armenian prisoners of war and civilians held in Azerbaijan, presenting facts and expert opinions. Despite the provisions of the trilateral statement of November 9, 2020, according to which an exchange of prisoners, hostages and bodies of the dead was to be carried out, the Azerbaijani side continued the capture of Armenians: “Azerbaijan currently holds 23 Armenian prisoners of war and civilians, 16 of whom were captured during the mass deportation of the Armenian population of Artsakh in September 2023. Among them are 8 former military and political leaders of Artsakh,” the article states.

           Siranush Sahakyan, head of the Center for International and Comparative Law, representative of the interests of Armenian prisoners of war at the ECHR, said in an interview with the newspaper: “Until the release of our compatriots, the Armenian side must be able to force Azerbaijan to provide humane conditions for the prisoners and respect human rights.” Sahakyan emphasized that they continue to appeal to international bodies, in particular the European Court of Human Rights, stating that Azerbaijan violates the fundamental norms of international law. These cases testify to the retrospective application of the Criminal Code by Azerbaijan.

           The article refers to the torture and inhumane treatment of Armenian hostages held in Baku, for example, “The cross tattooed on Vigen Euljekchyan’s hand was forcibly removed. His family members are continuously attacked on social media. Linda, Vigen’s wife, is constantly receiving insults and threats. In one of the messages, she is called an “Armenian prostitute” and boasts that in prison “they personally cut off Vigen’s ears”,” the article states. These facts testify not only to physical but also psychological violence, which is a gross violation of international law.

The fate of Armenian prisoners of war and civilians held in Azerbaijan remains on the agenda. The Center for International and Comparative Law will continue to raise issues concerning them, bring the facts to international courts, and protect the rights of Armenian prisoners.