Criminal Case Initiated in Azerbaijan Over the Murder of Armenian Prisoner of War

A criminal case has been initiated regarding the murder of 18-year-old soldier Erik Mkhitaryan, captured by Azerbaijanis, based on Article 390 of the Criminal Code of Armenia, which pertains to the murder of a prisoner of war. This was reported by Raphael Vardanyan, head of the forensic department of the Armenian Investigative Committee, in response to an inquiry from Factinfo, emphasizing that all necessary investigative and procedural actions are being carried out to clarify the circumstances of the murder.

As previously reported, the Azerbaijanis killed the captured resident of Kathanajur village and soldier Erik Mkhitaryan, whose body was recently identified through triple DNA testing. Vardanyan noted that the exact date of Mkhitaryan's murder is unknown; however, a video confirming his captivity was circulated on November 24 via Telegram channels.

Two videos were distributed, one lasting 21 seconds and the other 14 seconds, after which the Azerbaijanis were no longer visible. The complete version of the video is under the control of the Investigative Committee.

The criminal case regarding Mkhitaryan's murder has been joined to another investigation being conducted by the Investigative Committee concerning the aggressive war unleashed and conducted by Azerbaijan's military-political leadership, the use of methods and means prohibited by international treaties, and serious violations of international humanitarian law. It should be noted that the killing of prisoners of war is also prohibited by the Geneva Convention on the Treatment of Prisoners of War. Erik Mkhitaryan is not the only prisoner who has been killed by Azerbaijan. Previous reports have indicated instances where prisoners were victims of Azerbaijani atrocities, even after interim decisions were made regarding them by the European Court of Human Rights.