Video: Violence Against Arayik Harutyunyan in Baku

The Armenian people are currently experiencing perhaps one of the most tragic and shameful chapters in their history. The second Armenian state, Artsakh, has been completely emptied of Armenians, and its political-military leadership has been "decapitated." The aggressor Azerbaijan, guilty of numerous grave crimes and violating all humanitarian norms, has kidnapped and falsely charged Artsakh’s former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, former Deputy Commander of the Artsakh Defense Army General Davit Manukyan, former Commander of the Defense Army General Levon Mnatsakanyan, former Foreign Minister of Artsakh Davit Babayan, and three former presidents of Artsakh.

Yesterday, Azerbaijan released footage of the abduction of these presidents to flatter its internal audience and apply additional pressure on the Armenian society. The "Jamanak" newspaper reports that an investigation into these videos shows that the glasses of former Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan are broken, while in another clip, Harutyunyan is seen without his glasses. It becomes clear that violence has been inflicted upon him in Baku.

The newspaper reached out to the Human Rights Defender's Office to clarify whether they have documented this apparent act of violence and what actions are being taken in this regard. Referring to their statement released on September 29 regarding Ruben Vardanyan's abduction, the Human Rights Defender’s Office stated that the issues regarding the abducted officials and other citizens are under their attention and necessary measures are being taken. However, they did not specify what concrete actions have been undertaken or when they would be taken. It seems that nothing substantial is being done by the ruling Civil Contract Party's Prosecutor-ombudsman.