Azerbaijan's Prosecutor General's Statement Does Not Correspond to Reality: Armenian Human Rights Defender

The Human Rights Defender has issued a statement revealing that his office continues to gather information regarding the illegal interference by Azerbaijan with the fundamental rights of Vagif Khachatryan.

"In this context, it is noteworthy that Vagif Khachatryan has been serving in the military since September 1, 1992, and participated in combat operations thereafter. Prior to that, he worked in Stepanakert as a regular driver. Therefore, the statement by Azerbaijan's Prosecutor General claiming that V. Khachatryan committed a crime in the village of Meshali as part of a 'group of Armenian armed formations' on December 22, 1991, does not correspond to reality. This fact is supported by data collected and analyzed by the Human Rights Defender's office, substantiated by archival documents, commanders' orders, certificates confirming V. Khachatryan's combat career, and testimonies of family members.

Moreover, according to verified information obtained by the Human Rights Defender’s office, there is no record in any international search system regarding Vagif Khachatryan, who was abducted by Azerbaijanis and transported to Armenia for medical treatment. The Human Rights Defender emphasizes once again that Vagif Khachatryan is a person under international humanitarian protection, who was moved to Armenia for treatment under the auspices of the ICRC. Thus, his detention by Azerbaijan constitutes a gross violation of international humanitarian law.

Immediately following the abduction of Vagif Khachatryan, calls for violence against Armenians and the promotion of hatred and enmity directed at Khachatryan and his relatives have gained momentum in Azerbaijani media. This phenomenon is further evidence of Azerbaijan's policy of anti-Armenianism and ethnic hatred. Azerbaijani society, including public figures, media outlets, and officials, have branded Vagif Khachatryan as a criminal.

The Human Rights Defender emphasizes that under the circumstances of promoting ethnic hatred and the violation of the presumption of innocence, the fundamental rights of Vagif Khachatryan cannot be guaranteed, and a proper investigation of the case, compliant with the requirements of fair trial, cannot be ensured by a just and impartial court. The above points provide grounds to conclude that the illegal interference by Azerbaijan with Vagif Khachatryan's fundamental rights has occurred/occurs with gross violations of international humanitarian law and international human rights law, given that internationally recognized legal guarantees and standards widely accepted in the modern civilized world are not being upheld.

All collected information by the Human Rights Defender's office has been sent to competent authorities and international partners.