European Court Approves Urgent Measures for 23 Individuals in Detention, Says Artak Zeynalyan

The European Court has made a significant ruling regarding the protection of the rights of Armenian captives related to the large-scale war initiated by Azerbaijan against Artsakh on the morning of September 27, 2020. In a case concerning the rights of a military serviceman and detained civilians, the court accepted our requests and decided to apply urgent measures for an additional 23 individuals on December 15, 16, 21, and 22, 2020, and again on December 30, 2020, as reported by human rights defender Artak Zeynalyan on his Facebook page.

The individuals in question are: Aram Guyumjian, Arman Ashpakhyan, Levon Mkrtchyan, Levon Hovhannisyan, Gevorg Gasparyan, Erik Gasparyan, Gevorg Manukyan, Gnel Petrosyan, Levon Tosunyan, Samvel Shukyan, Grigor Sagatelyan, Haykaz Hovhannisyan, Karen Vardanyan, Edik Harutyunyan, Hrayr Herabyan, Hrayr Tadevosyan, Andranik Manukyan, Arqam Hunanian, Davit Voskanyan, Seyran Tamrazyan, Sasun Petrosyan, Gagik Mkrtchyan, and Yurik Poghosyan.

Our claims regarding the abduction or arrest of the individuals listed above are based on several acquired pieces of evidence, including videos. The European Court has demanded from the Azerbaijani government documented information regarding the fact of their abduction, their whereabouts, the conditions of their detention, and their medical care. The court has set deadlines for the provision of the required information.

Thus, the rights of 80 military servicemen and detained civilians who have fallen into captivity are defended through our submitted petitions to the European Court. Of these, 18 have already been returned to their homeland.

As a New Year and Christmas message, we express our gratitude to those who have fulfilled their duty towards the state and homeland, bowing before them for their acts of heroism, courage, and resilience, as well as for the sacrifices and sufferings endured.

We will spare no effort to uncover all individuals who have fallen into captivity and bring them back to their homeland, restoring the rights of them and their family members. May we all be granted wisdom and fervor to act.

Siranush Sahakyan
Artak Zeynalyan