For example, in one case, Azerbaijani servicemen
demanded that an Armenian serviceman renounce Christianity and convert to
Islam, that is, to change his faith. After the Armenian soldier refused to
obey, his legs were burned, and he was severely beaten and humiliated. We have
not recorded a case like this before.
In another case, Azerbaijani servicemen burned a part
of the body of a captured Armenian serviceman with a lighter, on which they
noticed a tattoo in the form of a cross and severely beat him.
Crosses which were with the Armenian servicemen were
either taken or destroyed. When the Armenian captives demanded the crosses
back, they were severely beaten and humiliated, and the religion was mocked.
These cases are a direct consequence of the policy of
Armenophobia and enmity of the Azerbaijani authorities towards the Armenians.
They prove that after the war this policy was
expanded, and that it has deep roots.
Moreover, in addition to the ethnic belonging of the
Armenians, their religious affiliation is also being targeted by the
Azerbaijani state policy.
Note: These cases were recorded after the recent
ad-hoc of the Human Rights Defender of Armenia on torture of Armenian captives
in Azerbaijan.
The Human
Rights Defender especially warn all those who decide to refute this publication
that there is reliable objective evidence, which, however, the Defender does
not disclose, so as not to turn these people into targets.
Mr. Arman Tatoyan
The Human Rights Defender of Armenia
Հայերեն
