Arman Tatoyan: 'Azerbaijani Armed Forces Have Deceived and Abducted an Inhabitant of Artsakh'

The abduction of a 68-year-old civilian, transferred from Artsakh to Armenia for medical treatment by the International Committee of the Red Cross, by Azerbaijani armed forces today is a war crime. This was stated by former Human Rights Defender of Armenia, Arman Tatoyan, on his Facebook page.

'The Azerbaijani presence in the Lachin corridor, notably over the Hakari bridge, is blatantly illegal and criminal. The abduction of a 68-year-old civilian transferred by the International Committee of the Red Cross from Artsakh to Armenia for medical treatment today by Azerbaijani armed forces is a war crime. Specifically, this is a criminal act carried out through deception, which is prohibited by the very regulations governing the International Committee of the Red Cross.'

'According to the practice, before transferring people to Armenia, the International Committee of the Red Cross notifies the Azerbaijani side and provides them with a list, thereby coordinating the transfer of individuals to Armenia. The same, of course, happened in the case of Vagif Khachatryan.' In fact, Azerbaijani armed forces have intentionally deceived and abducted a resident of Artsakh. It is evident that his life is in danger and that this was also done for political calculations.'

'This act is directly prohibited by Article 37 of the Additional Protocols to the Geneva Conventions of August 12, 1949, relating to the protection of victims of international armed conflicts (Protocol I, June 8, 1977). What happened today further proves that the Azerbaijani armed presence is blatantly illegal. It is a source of new crimes, including forced disappearances, abductions, and so on. This applies to all Azerbaijani presences near any Armenian settlement. These criminal acts will continue as long as the genocidal policies of the Azerbaijani authorities persist, along with absolute impunity.'