Armenian Human Rights Defender Comments on Sentencing of Two Armenian Soldiers Captured by Azerbaijan

The Armenian Human Rights Defender has issued a statement regarding the sentencing of two Armenian soldiers captured by the Azerbaijani armed forces from the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia. It is specifically noted that the Azerbaijani Serious Crimes Court found the two soldiers guilty of allegedly violating several articles of Azerbaijan's criminal code and sentenced them to 11 years and 6 months in prison.

According to information received from their parents and relatives, the Armenian Armed Forces servicemen, Karen Ashot Ghazaryan (a conscript) and Harutyun Yuriki Hovakimyan (a contract serviceman), were captured by the Azerbaijani armed forces on May 26, 2023, from the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia.

Information received by the Office of the Human Rights Defender indicates that the two soldiers were carrying food and water to the combat positions of the Armenian Armed Forces and were captured by Azerbaijani soldiers from the intercease road between the villages of Jrakaten and Shikhahogh.

In this regard, Armenian Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan emphasizes that the information registered by the Office of the Human Rights Defender shows that actions taken by Azerbaijani authorities, such as the capture of Armenian soldiers from the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia, followed by false accusations and an unjust trial, constitute gross violations of international law, international human rights law, and international humanitarian law.

These actions contradict the United Nations Charter, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and the requirements of international humanitarian law, including the Third Geneva Convention.

The servicemen were captured during an uninterrupted armed conflict from the sovereign territory of the Republic of Armenia. International humanitarian law applies in such situations regardless of the reasons for the conflict or the level of intensity.

Moreover, the policy of hatred propagated by Azerbaijani authorities serves as further evidence of the illegality of the criminal proceedings. It is evident that under these conditions, the fundamental rights of Armenian prisoners of war are endangered.

The Human Rights Defender emphasizes that Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan are under constant threat of torture and degrading treatment, as evidenced by information recorded by the Office of the Human Rights Defender.

The Office of the Human Rights Defender is studying and summarizing this information and will present it to international organizations and other stakeholders, as well as to competent state bodies.