ICRC visits Karabakh separatists detained in Azerbaijan

Representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have visited Armenian separatists detained in Azerbaijan.

In December, ICRC staff once again met with individuals of Armenian descent, whose identities had been shared by the Azerbaijani authorities.

During these visits, each detainee was interviewed separately, and arrangements were made for them to contact their families.

As part of its mandate, the ICRC assesses the treatment of detainees and the conditions of their detention during such visits. Furthermore, it ensures that detainees have the opportunity to re-establish or maintain contact with their family members.

The ICRC's procedures dictate that observations and recommendations regarding these visits are shared exclusively with the detaining authority.

To recall, Azerbaijan's State Security Service has detained several former leaders of the Karabakh separatist regime. Among those arrested are former "presidents" Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Arayik Harutyunyan, along with key figures such as former "foreign minister" David Babayan, former "speaker of parliament" David Ishkhanian, and generals Levon Mnatsakanyan and David Manukyan. 

Ruben Vardanyan, an Armenian tycoon who financially supported the separatist movement, was the first to be arrested on September 27, 2023. The detentions come after the Azerbaijani government regained control of Karabakh following the 2020 war.

These individuals face serious charges under Azerbaijan's Criminal Code, including terrorism, financing terrorism, and the illegal possession of firearms and explosives.

Specifically, they have been accused of engaging in terrorism, supporting armed groups, and organizing training for terrorism. Vardanyan, in particular, is accused of fueling separatism both politically and financially, having renounced his Russian citizenship and moved to Karabakh in September 2022.

Azerbaijan's actions are part of a broader effort to hold accountable those involved in the separatist regime, following its collapse after the 2020 ceasefire. The detentions and charges reflect legal ramifications following the Karabakh conflict.

By Aghakazim Guliyev