Ombudsperson slams Armenia’s decision on life imprisonment of Azerbaijani serviceman

Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsperson) of the Republic of Azerbaijan Sabina Aliyeva has said that the imprisonment of an Azerbaijani serviceman upon false charges, as well as the toughening of punishment and its replacement with life imprisonment, contradicts the norms and principles of international law.

“Despite Azerbaijan’s numerous requests on this issue, Armenia continues grossly violating the requirements of international law,” APA reports citing Aliyeva’s comments on the tightening of the illegal punishment of the Azerbaijani serviceman by Armenia.

According to the statement, this provocative step by Armenia creates big obstacles to the work being carried out towards the signing of a peace agreement between the two countries and the establishment of sustainable peace in the region. I declare once again that the Armenian side must immediately release the illegally imprisoned servicemen of the Azerbaijani army Huseyn Akhundov, as well as Agshin Babirov, and take the necessary steps to return them to Azerbaijan.

“As the Commissioner for Human Rights of the Republic of Azerbaijan, I once again urge relevant international organisations, foreign ombudsmen offices and national human rights institutions to take effective measures to release the Azerbaijani servicemen, and also call on these institutions to express their attitude towards France’s disrespectful attitude towards human rights and freedoms,” the statement says.