All Evidence Acquired Through Gross Violations of ECHR Articles: Edmond Marukyan

The Ambassador-at-Large of the Republic of Armenia, Edmond Marukyan, has stated on his page that, “Recently, Azerbaijani forces have disseminated videos concerning representatives of Nagorno-Karabakh, who have been kidnapped from Stepanakert and are unlawfully held in Azerbaijani prisons. These individuals are former and current representatives of the Nagorno-Karabakh people, either elected or appointed.

In addition to the daily humiliating scenes, Azerbaijani propaganda also spreads news about alleged testimonies from individuals. First, I would like to assert that any testimony from a detained hostage or prisoner of war is considered inadmissible evidence and cannot serve as the basis for any accusation, as these testimonies are obtained by Azerbaijani special services in gross violation of the European Convention on Human Rights.

It is even unnecessary to mention that the hostages themselves have no opportunity to choose their defenders, no chance to stand before an independent and impartial court as determined by law, and lack the ability to receive a fair trial. If they provide any testimonies, it is under threats of torture and violations of their right to life.

All evidence that is now said to be obtained from these individuals has been gathered through gross violations of Articles 3, 5, 6, 13, and 14 of the ECHR and the case law of the European Court of Human Rights.

Moreover, according to Freedom House, former and current elected leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh have succeeded in establishing a democracy, rated as partly free with a score of 37, whereas they are now kidnapped and unlawfully imprisoned, facing false charges in Azerbaijan, a system rated as not free with a score of 9, as assessed by Freedom House.

Freedom House evaluates the availability of political rights and civil liberties in 210 countries and territories in its annual report “Freedom in the World.” Individual freedoms range from the right to voice to freedom of speech and equality before the law.

Therefore, all Azerbaijani propaganda against all representatives of the Nagorno-Karabakh people who have been kidnapped and unlawfully deprived of their freedom in Azerbaijani prisons cannot be trusted. All prisoners of war and hostages, regardless of their political and/or other affiliations, whether elected or appointed, must be immediately released.”