Parents Are Calling Me Asking if Their Child Is on Trial, and If They Will Never Return: Boris Ayvazyan

Parents of missing and captured servicemen are demanding the establishment of a commission that would include representatives from the National Security Service, the government, the Ministry of Defense, and the parents themselves, to properly address the process required for an individualized approach to each missing person. This was stated today, June 28, during a protest in front of the government by Boris Ayvazyan, the former deputy director of the State Emergency Service of Artsakh.

“There are many parents of captives, and if 10-15 people have come together and agreed to establish a commission that will keep them informed, there is no need for such a commission just for informing them. A commission must be created that can work comprehensively and approach every issue individually. Because there are parents who call me and say, 'Our child is on trial, will they never return?' They need legal advice to understand that this staged trial is a show for the international community. Because we all understand that any testimony you need can be obtained,” he said.

Referring to the involvement of Armenian lawyers in these trials, Boris Ayvazyan said, “Of course, it is encouraging that Armenian lawyers are willing to go to Baku, but their assistance will be ineffective there. I believe that there is a need to invite an international legal organization that can support our boys. There should be international lawyers who will not be subjected to pressure in Baku. Our Armenian lawyers will definitely be under tremendous pressure in Baku.”

He noted that after the elections, Secretary of the Security Council Armen Grigoryan admitted that there had been obstacles from the Armenian side towards Russian partners regarding the provision of minefield maps, and that Ara Ayvazyan informed the Russians that such maps do not exist. “If the Secretary of the Security Council makes such a statement, it should be substantiated. If he had sufficient grounds to say such a thing, I do not understand why a criminal case has not been initiated to this day, because that is a crime. If it is not the case, then Armen Grigoryan is lying. For this to be clarified, the Prosecutor General's Office must accept Armen Grigoryan's statement as grounds to initiate a criminal case, so that the public can see who is guilty,” he concluded.