The trial of Ishkhan Sargsyan and Vladimir Rafaelyan, servicemen captured by Azerbaijani forces in the border area of Gegharkunik province in May 2021, was postponed again in Azerbaijan. Four of the six servicemen captured during the incident by Azerbaijani troops crossing the state border of Armenia have been repatriated, and a criminal case has been filed against two of them in Baku.
Siranush Sahakyan (Representative of Captives in the ECHR) - Two are charged with four crimes: that they entered the territory of Azerbaijan to carry out mining. According to the official version, they are servicemen of special units of the Ministry of Defense, they are accused of carrying illegal weapons, committing terrorism, crossing the border of Azerbaijan illegally.
The case is being heard by the Serious Crimes Court with three judges. The next court hearing in the case of two Armenian servicemen will take place on February 28. It was postponed because the accusing prosecutor asked for extra time for the final speech. Armenia applied to the European Court in May with a demand to ensure the fundamental rights of 6 captured servicemen. As in previous cases, this time Azerbaijan has launched an illegal prosecution of Armenian servicemen.
Siranush Sahakyan - They were on the border of Armenia, they carried out a certain task on the border of Armenia, which is legal in the case of a serviceman. The Azerbaijani side just likes to convey new, unique colors, to present these people internationally as terrorists, to formulate approaches that provocative actions take place with the involvement of the Armenian side.
To date, 142 servicemen and civilians have returned from captivity. Baku is currently confirming the captivity of 46 people. Despite solid evidence from the Armenian side about another 80 people, Azerbaijan continues to deny the facts of their captivity. According to Siranush Sahakyan, cases of enforced disappearances have been submitted to the European Court. Complaints of killings, violence, and property damage to citizens following border incidents are also pending before the ECHR.
Siranush Sahakyan - In the conditions of the peacekeeping mission, the Azerbaijanis dare to kill the citizens by force of a sniper. It is obvious that there is a question of protection of life. There are cases of kidnapping and torture, now we are filing complaints about these cases.
According to Sahakyan, Azerbaijan has decided to start a legal process on several international platforms on "profitable cases" of economic activity in Artsakh and submitted a material claim. The human rights activist believes that Azerbaijan’s legal chance for success is not high.
