Relatives of Armenian war prisonres in Azerbaijan are told Red Cross will no longer visit them

The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has informed the families of Armenian prisoners held in Baku that they will no longer be visiting the detainees.

“They told all of us, the families of all prisoners, that the Red Cross won’t be visiting anymore, they have no connection to the captives now,” a relative told Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty.

This news has caused deep concern among the families, as the ICRC had been the only international body able to visit the Armenian detainees, check their health, deliver essential items, and arrange video calls with their families.

“The Red Cross was the only bridge to our loved ones, the only bit of hope. Now even that’s gone,” said a relative, calling the decision devastating for both the detainees and their families.

Zara Amatuni, representative of the ICRC’s Armenia office, said their last visit to the prisoners took place in June, with none made in July. According to her, due to a request from the Azerbaijani government, the ICRC’s Baku office will soon cease operations.

“As a result, our normal activities are disrupted. The organization will suspend its operations in Azerbaijan soon,” she stated.

Asked whether this meant visits would permanently end, Amatuni said discussions were still ongoing with Azerbaijani authorities and there was no clarity at this point.

She added that even before the final closure of the office, another visit seemed unlikely, as no permission had been granted by Azerbaijan.

“Our work also concerns missing persons and providing answers to their families. These issues, not just detainees, remain under discussion,” said Amatuni.

The families of captives are dissatisfied with repeated official claims that “efforts are ongoing” to secure the prisoners’ return.

“We wait one month, two months, three months—you can’t just keep saying you’re working on it. If someone is working, some result should be visible,” they said.

The families, some of whom are in difficult financial situations, have urged the Armenian government to at least support them socially.

“Restore just the 40+10 aid. Let the families survive until something is decided. I ask Prime Minister Pashinyan, on behalf of everyone, to help us,” one family member pleaded.

When asked about the condition of the detainees, a relative replied, “How do you think they are? They want to come home. I plead with the world to help bring them back.”

Relatives of the 23 Armenian prisoners held in Baku are requesting a meeting with Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to discuss their concerns in person.

Currently, the only contact the 23 Armenian prisoners in Baku have with their families is through phone calls arranged by Azerbaijani authorities.