The murder of Armenian prisoners of war (POWs) took place on September 13 in one of the positions of Ishkhanasar. According to Artak Zeynalyan, the representative of the interests of captives and missing persons at the European Court, some servicemen have been identified, and the work in that direction continues.
Artak Zeynalyan (representative of the interests of captives and missing persons at the ECHR) - Only after the video appeared it was confirmed that they lost their lives, and the rules that it is legal to shoot a soldier or combatant do not apply to them. In other words, they were unarmed persons who laid down their weapons, had the status of prisoners, and lost their lives. They were extra-judicially executed.
Earlier, Azerbaijan transferred the bodies of the servicemen seen in the video documenting the war crimes of Azerbaijan to Armenia. Since September 13, human rights defenders have appealed to the European Court of Justice in the cases of prisoners and missing persons to apply an immediate measure. Azerbaijan did not provide full, complete information to the court, whereas it requested an extension of the deadline until September 29 to submit data.
Artak Zeynalyan - Azerbaijan sent a response to the European Court, that response was forwarded to us, but the response is not in substance. No evidence has been presented, no evidence to support the fact of the conditions under which they are being held. It only assessed that they were being held under humanitarian law-compliant conditions.
After the September events, Azerbaijan confirmed the capture of 17 servicemen, that is, there are currently 50 confirmed prisoners in Azerbaijan, but the video of the shooting of Armenian servicemen shows that this particular group was captured and then killed. According to Zeynalyan, they receive new information about the missing servicemen, which they also send to the court.
Artak Zeynalyan - We will not be guided only by the video, naturally, due to this circumstance, we should also study the forensic examination reports or examination protocols of the remains and the attached photo attachments for conclusions about the circumstances of death.
Zeynalyan is convinced that high-ranking Azerbaijani officers cannot be irresponsible for the killing of prisoners. In order to apply to the International Criminal Court, according to him, it is still necessary to study its legal bases and possibilities. It can be important in terms of indicting and prosecuting specific individuals. War crimes are a manifestation of hatred towards Armenians in Azerbaijan. Unlike Azerbaijan, human rights are taught in the armed forces of Armenia, Zeynalyan himself also taught humanitarian law to servicemen.
Artak Zeynalyan - Azerbaijanis are taught by Ramil Safarov. We have photos of him meeting with current servicemen, conveying his experience and spirit to them.
The same Safarov axed a sleeping Armenian officer in Budapest in 2004. According to the 2020 judgment of the European Court, the violated right of Gurgen Margaryan was recognized. Baku has not yet implemented the verdict. During the April four-day war, Azerbaijan also committed war crimes, in connection with which the judgments of the ECHR are expected, and the investigation of the cases regarding the gross violations of human rights during the 44-day war is still ongoing.
Artak Zeynalyan - We have to wait for verdicts related to the cases of 2020, 27 people were mutilated, dismembered, during their lifetime or later. There are no judgments in previous cases either.
Zeynalyan has no information that Azerbaijan filed a complaint against Armenia to the European Court in relation to September 13. In 2016, Azerbaijan submitted applications to apply urgent measures to Strasbourg, on which there is still no decision, but the human rights defender considers them groundless, devoid of evidence.
