Red Cross maintains neutral oversight of Armenian detainees in Baku

Representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) conducted another round of visits in June to individuals of Armenian origin currently detained in Azerbaijan on charges related to war crimes, the organization confirmed.

Speaking to media, Ilaha Huseynova, head of the public relations department of the ICRC’s Azerbaijan representation, stated that the visits were carried out in line with the organization’s humanitarian mandate, Caliber.Az reports via local media.

The detainees were afforded the opportunity to engage in one-on-one meetings with ICRC staff, maintain contact with their families, and receive parcels sent by their relatives.

“Under the ICRC mandate, during such visits, the treatment of detainees and conditions of detention are assessed,” Huseynova said. “The organisation also creates conditions for individuals to re-establish or continue links with their families.”

The ICRC emphasized that all observations and recommendations derived from these visits remain confidential and are shared solely with the detaining authorities, in keeping with the organization’s established procedures and commitment to neutrality.

The detainees in question are reportedly being held on accusations of committing war crimes during prior periods of conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, particularly relating to the Karabakh region. The ICRC has maintained its role as a neutral intermediary in the region, facilitating humanitarian access and supporting communication between detainees and their families.

To recap, 15 individuals—Arayik Vladimiri Harutyunyan, Arkadi Arshaviri Ghukasyan, Bako Sahaki Sahakyan, Davit Rubeni Ishkhanyan, David Azatini Manukyan, Davit Klimi Babayan, Levon Henrikovich Mnatsakanyan, Vasili Ivani Beglaryan, Erik Roberti Ghazaryan, Davit Nelsoni Allahverdiyan, Gurgen Homeri Stepanyan, Levon Romiki Balayan, Madat Arakelovich Babayan, Garik Grigori Martirosyan, Melikset Vladimiri Pashayan—have been charged under multiple articles of the Criminal Code of Azerbaijan, including Article 100 (aggressive war planning and execution), Article 102 (attacks on internationally protected persons or entities), Article 103 (genocide), Article 105 (extermination of a population), Article 106 (slavery), Article 107 (deportation or forcible displacement), Article 109 (persecution), Article 110 (enforced disappearance), Article 112 (unlawful deprivation of liberty), Article 113 (torture), Article 114 (mercenarism), Article 115 (war crimes), Article 116 (violations of international humanitarian law), Article 118 (war looting), Article 120 (premeditated murder), Article 192 (illegal business activities), Article 214 (terrorism), Article 214-1 (terrorism financing), Article 218 (criminal organization formation), Article 228 (illegal possession and transportation of weapons and explosives), Article 270-1 (threats to aviation security), Article 277 (assassination of state or public figures), Article 278 (violent seizure of power and forced constitutional change), and Article 279 (unauthorized armed group formation), along with other legal provisions.

By Vafa Guliyeva