The Number of Armenian Prisoners in Azerbaijan is at Least 80 More than Confirmed, Says Siranush Sahakyan

Azerbaijan has concealed the number of Armenian prisoners. As of November 16, confirmed figures indicated that 40 prisoners of war were held in Azerbaijan, but this number does not reflect reality. At least 80 more individuals are currently in captivity, yet Azerbaijan refuses to officially acknowledge their abduction. To date, there is no information regarding their fate; they are either being held or killed. This was stated by Siranush Sahakyan, representative for the rights of Armenian prisoners of war at the European Court of Human Rights, during a discussion on December 10.

She expressed regret that the officially announced number does not correspond with reality. “There were talks about 12 or 13 prisoners, while analyzing video recordings leads to the conclusion that their number is higher. As long as all circumstances are not investigated, the Armenian side cannot officially present the numbers. In previous incidents, the Armenian side did not publish numbers at all; it was us who disclosed them. It is surprising why this behavior has changed and why numbers are being published that do not match reality,” Sahakyan noted.

She also pointed out that Azerbaijan has yet to confirm the number of prisoners resulting from the November 16 incident, with Red Cross representatives having not visited them in Baku. According to human rights defenders' studies, it has been established that 32-33 servicemen were taken captive,” Sahakyan stated.

She reported that the Armenian side is at a disadvantage compared to Azerbaijan, as they pay analytical centers and lawyers to present the reality in favor of Baku. “In the context of the application of double standards, the International Court of Justice rejected Armenia's request for the immediate release of Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan. The European Court of Human Rights displayed a similar approach. This signifies that we must rely solely on ourselves. Nevertheless, it is a positive aspect that the Hague Court demanded Azerbaijan to ensure equality before the law and refrain from violence,” Sahakyan emphasized.

“This does not mean that violence in Azerbaijan is ruled out, but the issue is aggravated by potential repercussions. If Azerbaijan continues to use violence against prisoners of war under the umbrella of international protection, should these incidents be documented further, the international pressure to hold Azerbaijani officials, military personnel, or armed forces representatives accountable will increase. Such actions will not only be interpreted as acts against Armenians but also as actions against the authority of international courts, which may compel them to act more decisively, shape international demands, and condemn Azerbaijan's crimes,” she concluded.