Armenia to Submit New Evidence to ECHR and ICJ Regarding Trials of Armenian Captives
Armenia will present additional evidence and demands to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) and the International Court of Justice (ICJ) regarding the trials of Armenian prisoners of war (POWs) and civilians in Baku. This was reported by the Office of Armenia’s Representative on International Legal Matters.
The office recalled that in 2022 and 2024, Armenia filed two interstate complaints with the ECHR. These complaints aimed to ensure the rights to a fair trial, freedom, and personal security for Armenian POWs and civilians unlawfully detained in Azerbaijan.
The statement noted that they are monitoring the ongoing trials in Azerbaijan and will submit the necessary additional evidence and demands to the ECHR and ICJ in accordance with established procedures.
Baku has confirmed that 23 Armenian captives are currently in their custody. Seventeen of them were captured in September 2023 during Azerbaijan’s military aggression against Artsakh. Among the detainees are Ruben Vardanyan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, Davit Manukyan, Davit Babayan, Davit Ishkhanyan, as well as former Artsakh presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Arayik Harutyunyan. Their trial began on January 17.
Ruben Vardanyan, a political prisoner unlawfully held in a Baku prison, delivered a message to the international community during a phone call with his family on January 16. In the message, Vardanyan stated that he, his lawyer, and interpreters are being pressured to sign various documents, including fabricated protocols of non-existent interrogations.