Armenian Prisoners of War Should Have Been Guaranteed Minimum Fair Trial Protections, Lawyer Robert Hayrapetyan

The trial of Armenian prisoners of war in Azerbaijan has concluded, with sentences ranging from 6 months to 4 years of imprisonment.

Lawyer Robert Hayrapetyan has stated that the "convictions based on fabricated charges against Armenian prisoners of war" imposed by the Azerbaijani authorities involved gross violations of the fundamental right to a fair trial, both in terms of international law and humanitarian considerations.

"Armenian prisoners of war should have been guaranteed minimum fair trial protections, such as the presumption of innocence, being informed of the charges against them promptly and in a language they understand, and more," he noted.

According to Hayrapetyan, the legally binding guarantees repeatedly affirmed by the European Court of Human Rights have been clearly violated by Azerbaijani authorities.

"These violations are confirmed by the arrogant silence and criminal inaction of Armenia's political leadership," emphasized the lawyer.