40 Armenian Prisoners of War and Civilians Convicted on Baseless Charges in Azerbaijan: Gegham Stepanyan

The Human Rights Defender of Artsakh, Gegham Stepanyan, wrote on his Facebook page: 'The Human Rights Defender's Office has published a report on the prosecutions and trials based on false charges against Armenian servicemen and civilians captured by Azerbaijan. The report presents data on the organized fabricated and illegal trials against Armenian prisoners of war and captured civilians, which constitutes a gross violation of the Geneva Conventions concerning the protection of civilians during wartime and the treatment of prisoners of war.'

'As a result of 45 organized illegal, unfounded, and fabricated trials, 3 individuals (one civilian) have been sentenced to 20 years, 2 individuals (civilians) to 15 years, 23 individuals to 6 years, 2 individuals to 4 years, and 13 individuals to 6 months of imprisonment. The materials of fabricated criminal cases against 2 Armenian prisoners of war are currently at the Ganja Court of Serious Crimes. Out of the Armenian prisoners of war subjected to these illegal trials, 5 were repatriated on October 19, 2021. However, at this moment, 40 Armenian prisoners of war and civilians are convicted on baseless charges in Azerbaijan.'

The report is available in English via the following link: