30 Individuals from Shirak Region Currently Detained in Azerbaijani Prisons: Human Rights Defender Visits Shirak

Shirak Governor Nazeli Baghdasaryan met with Human Rights Defender Kristine Grigoryan today, March 30. During the meeting, they discussed issues related to the captured residents of Shirak.

The governor's office reported that particularly, the Shirak governor addressed the statement made the day before by the Chairman of Azerbaijan's Milli Majlis, who attempted to call into question the legal status of the detained individuals. Citing international resolutions and documents, as well as provisions arising from the trilateral agreement, Nazeli Baghdasaryan noted that individuals held in Azerbaijan hold the status of prisoners of war.

“Ms. Grigoryan, I thank you for your willingness to visit the region and, among other issues related to human rights, today we will have the opportunity to meet with the relatives of our brothers who have been taken captive from the region and discuss our efforts aimed at their repatriation. I regret to note that Azerbaijan has not yet complied with the provisions of the trilateral agreement, and our compatriots remain detained there. Currently, we have 30 individuals from Shirak in Azerbaijani prisons. Once again, I would like to draw your attention to this issue, and I hope for your effective support in the steps taken for the repatriation of our boys, as Azerbaijan continues to maintain its practices and keeps them under the status of hostage based on unfounded accusations. Meanwhile, you remember that last September, the resolution adopted by the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe once again emphasized that those held there hold the status of prisoners of war,” stated the Shirak governor.