Information has been received regarding "persons who have sustained serious injuries" among the Armenian prisoners of war held in Azerbaijani prisons. This was stated in an interview with Azatutyun by Siranush Sahakyan, director of the International and Comparative Law Center, director of the Armenian Office of the Armenian Legal Center for Justice and Human Rights, and the representative of Armenian prisoners of war before the European Court of Human Rights.
According to the human rights lawyer, it has not been possible to independently verify this alarming information. She also added that, nevertheless, the information is credible, and it cannot be ruled out that the injuries resulted from violence. "The families also inform us about the deteriorating health condition. In certain cases, we have serious alarms, and if that information is accurate, then the injuries may even be incompatible with life.
She also reported that there is information including about fractures. The Azatutyun journalist asked whether the fractures were the result of violence, to which Sahakyan replied: "We do not rule it out. We cannot determine the causes, however, while in the case of several reports the issue concerns the deterioration of an existing health condition, there are cases that may imply elements of violence or physical abuse."
According to Siranush Sahakyan, it is not possible to obtain objective information about the health condition of the prisoners because there is no access for independent doctors to the Armenian prisoners through the mediation of international organizations. Consequently, the information received from the families is documented and submitted to the bodies that may have some role to play in this matter. According to the human rights lawyer, those bodies are requested to intervene or, through diplomatic dialogue, make these issues the subject of discussions.
By August 31, Azerbaijan is required to submit a report to the European Court of Human Rights on the conditions of detention of the Armenian prisoners, including their health condition. Those medical documents will be compared with the information received from the families.
According to the human rights lawyer, although the European Court cannot compel Azerbaijan to ensure access for independent doctors, it does require Baku to ensure the prisoners' health and physical integrity and to refrain from actions that would endanger their lives. It is also for that purpose that the European Court requests the medical records of the Armenians held in prisons from Azerbaijan.