MFA: Azerbaijan uses staged trial of Armenians as instrument of political pressure on Armenia
YEREVAN, February 28. /ARKA/. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Armenia issued a statement in connection with the “trial” in Azerbaijan of Armenian prisoners of war, hostages, and detainees, as well as reports about torture and deteriorating health made public by their lawyers, including Ruben Vardanyan, who is on hunger strike.
The Novosti-Armenia news agency provides the full text of the statement:
“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Armenia continues to draw the attention of the international community, particularly partners interested in peace in the region and committed to humanitarian values, to the issue of releasing Armenian prisoners of war, hostages, and other detainees held in Azerbaijan, as well as to the staged trials conducted against some of them, which involve gross procedural violations and clear signs of torture.
The publications, including videos and photographs of the “trials” of 23 Armenian prisoners of war, hostages, and other detainees, as well as information released by the lawyers of the above-mentioned individuals, including Ruben Vardanyan, who is on hunger strike, regarding the impact on them, torture, and the apparent deterioration of their health, are deeply disturbing.
Such practices are also evidenced by the concerns expressed by the UN Committee against Torture, cases of torture of Armenian prisoners of war documented by Human Rights Watch and other organizations, as well as the Azerbaijani authorities' consistent failure to cooperate with international organizations, including the European Committee for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment. The Armenian government continues to receive reports of the use of prohibited measures against Armenian prisoners of war, hostages, and other detainees.
Armenian prisoners of war, hostages, and other detainees are being held illegally in Azerbaijan, in violation of the country’s obligations and international commitments. The arrest and prosecution of Armenian prisoners of war, hostages, and other detainees are gross violations of international humanitarian law and fundamental human rights. A simple listing of the relevant international multilateral documents includes the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, the Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, the Fourth Geneva Convention (1949), and the European Convention on Human Rights.
It is evident that the Azerbaijani authorities are using this trial as a tool for political pressure on the Republic of Armenia and for manipulating public opinion, given the sensitivity of the issue for every family member and society as a whole.
A special point of concern is that these processes are taking place in the context of continuous propaganda of ethnic hatred against Armenians in Azerbaijani media.
Moreover, and primarily, a full settlement of any conflict involves preparing the peoples for peace, and further artificial delays in unresolved humanitarian issues do not contribute to this goal and only diminish its likelihood. This understanding has been repeatedly emphasized during discussions with Azerbaijan and on various international platforms, with partners and organizations. We hope that it will prevail in the perception of Azerbaijani authorities, over the continuous fueling of hostility and short-term calculations.
In the face of the refusal to resolve this issue definitively, Armenia cannot remain indifferent and passive, and therefore will continue to raise this issue at various levels and in different formats, expecting solutions and positive progress.
On Armenian prisoners of war in Baku
Azerbaijan officially confirms the detention of only 33 Armenian prisoners of war and civilians, but Armenian human rights defenders report an additional 80 Armenian prisoners.
On January 20, the so-called trial of 15 Armenian prisoners of war began in Baku. Among them are former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, former Presidents of the Republic Bako Sahakyan, Arkady Ghukasyan, and Arayik Harutyunyan, former Speaker of Parliament David Ishkhanyan, former Foreign Minister and former assistant to the NKR President David Babayan, former Commander of the Defense Army Levon Mnatsakanyan, and former Deputy Commander of the Defense Army of Artsakh David Manukyan.
Ruben Vardanyan’s international lawyer, Jared Genser, issued a statement on February 26, in which he said that despite Vardanyan’s severe health deterioration one week after the hunger strike, Azerbaijan is forcing him to continue participating in the fake trial. The lawyer stated that Vardanyan's health is at risk and called on world leaders, particularly Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, to condemn this show trial in Baku.
