Relatives of Nagorno-Karabakh resident, abducted by Azerbaijan, harassed by Azerbaijanis in social networks

YEREVAN, August 2. /ARKA/. The relatives of Vagif Khachatryan, a Nagorno-Karabakh man who was abducted by Azerbaijanis on July 29, are being harassed by Azerbaijanis in social networks, particularly in Telegram channels, which is extremely unacceptable and reprehensible, Armenian human rights defender’s office said in a statement.   

On July 29, the 68-year-old Vagif Khachatryan, accompanied by the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), was on his way to Yerevan for medical treatment. He was abducted by representatives of Azerbaijan at an illegally established checkpoint in the Lachin corridor. The travel of the Artsakh citizen had been agreed in advance through ICRC mediation.

Armenian human rights defender Anahit Manasayn held talks with international partners and representatives of various organizations in connection with the abduction.

The human rights defender's office said also that Vagif Khachatryan is not an internationally wanted person and 'therefore, the statement of the Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan does not correspond to reality.'

The office said that Vagif Khachatryan is a protected person under international humanitarian law who was abducted when transported to Armenia under the auspices of the ICRC for the purpose of receiving medical treatment. Therefore, the latter's abduction by the border guards of Azerbaijan is a gross violation of international humanitarian law.

The next day after the abduction Armenia filed an application with the ECHR to protect Vagif Khachatryan's rights, demanding interim measures against Azerbaijan.

In a subsequent decision, the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) has set a deadline for Azerbaijan until August 8 to provide information about Vagif Khachatryan.-0-