The
court on grave crimes in Azerbaijan has convicted two Armenian servicemen who
were ambushed and captured by the Azerbaijani armed forces in the sovereign
territory of Armenia. They have been found guilty of allegedly violating
various articles of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan and have been sentenced to
11 years and 6 months of imprisonment.
According
to the information received from the parents and relatives of the two
servicemen of the Armenian Armed Forces, Mr. Karen Ashot Ghazaryan (conscript)
and Harutyun Yurik Hovakimyan (contract serviceman) were captured by the
Azerbaijani armed forces on May 26, 2023, in the sovereign territory of the
Republic of Armenia.
According
to the information registered by the Human Rights Defender's Office, they were
transferring nutrition and water supplies to the combat positions of the
Armenian Armed Forces and were captured by the Azerbaijani side in the middle
of the combat positions located between the Chakaten and Shikahogh villages of
the Republic of Armenia.
The
Human Rights Defender, Ms. Anahit Manasyan, emphasizes that the information
registered by the Human Rights Defender's Office shows that the actions of the
Azerbaijani authorities in capturing Armenian servicemen from the sovereign
territory of the Republic of Armenia, then charging them with false charges and
subjecting to an unfair trial constitute a gross violation of international
law, international human rights law, and international humanitarian law. These
actions are contrary to the Charter of the United Nations, the International
Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the requirements of international
humanitarian law, including the Third Geneva Convention.
The
Human Rights Defender specifically highlights that Armenian servicemen
illegally kept in Azerbaijan should have the status of Prisoners of War, and
their detention, criminal prosecution, and proceedings are gross violations of
international humanitarian law.
These
servicemen were taken captive in the sovereign territory of the Republic of
Armenia during an incessant armed conflict. International humanitarian law is
warranted in such situations, regardless of the reasons or intensity of the
confrontation.
Moreover,
the policy of Armenophobia propagated by the Azerbaijani authorities further
confirms the unlawfulness of the criminal proceedings. It is evident that the
fundamental rights of the Armenian prisoners of war are endangered in these
circumstances.
The
Human Rights Defender highlights that the Armenian captives still held in
Azerbaijan are exposed to a constant risk of torture, degrading and inhuman
treatment, as evidenced by the information registered by the Human Rights
Defender's Office.
The
Office of the Human Rights Defender is currently summarizing and studying the
above-mentioned information and will present it to relevant international
organizations, other stakeholders, and competent state bodies.
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