ICRC seeks renewed access to Armenian detainees in Baku

(Horizon Weekly) – The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is attempting to re-establish communication with Azerbaijani authorities in order to regain access to Armenian detainees held in Baku, says Zara Amatuni, Head of Communications Programs for the ICRC in Armenia. Speaking to Panorama.am, she noted that the last visit by ICRC representatives to Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan took place in June.

Amatuni explained that without a presence in the country, the ICRC is unable to monitor the humanitarian situation or follow the cases it previously oversaw. She added that the reasons behind the suspension of the organization’s activities in Azerbaijan have not been disclosed, as much of its work is carried out confidentially.

With the ICRC no longer allowed to operate in Azerbaijan, Armenian detainees have been left in complete isolation. No international organization has been granted permission to visit them since the Red Cross was forced to withdraw.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijani media report that prosecutors are seeking some of the most severe penalties to date for former Nagorno Karabakh political and military leaders. Life sentences have reportedly been requested for former President Arayik Harutyunyan, former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan, former Defense Army commander Levon Mnatsakanyan, deputy commander Davit Manukyan, and former parliament speaker Davit Ishkhanyan.

Prosecutors are also asking for twenty year prison terms for former presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan, as well as Madat Babayan and Pashayev Melikset. Additional requests include nineteen years for Garik Martirosyan, eighteen for Davit Alaverdyan, seventeen for Levon Babayan, and sixteen years each for Vasili Beglaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan, and Edik Ghazaryan.