PanARMENIAN.Net - Resistance by Azerbaijan to implementing international court rulings related to the protection of Armenian detainees cannot continue indefinitely, said Siranush Sahakyan, head of the Center for International and Comparative Law and representative of Armenian captives' interests at the European Court of Human Rights, Sputnik Armenia reports.
On April 9, the European Court of Human Rights rejected another request by Azerbaijan, once again obliging the authorities of that country to continue providing information on detention conditions, as well as medical records, conducted examinations, and other treatment-related documents. The court also required that verdicts against the detainees be submitted by August 31.
"Azerbaijan, of course, is resisting and is not so willing to comply with international court decisions. This is a state practice carried out at the highest level, but it is clear that it leads to negative consequences, such as a decline in the country's reputation and, why not, the generation of pressure in political arenas. In any case, Azerbaijan is losing resources here, and it is evident that these resources are not unlimited. Therefore, no matter how much it resists now and fails to implement judicial acts, this cannot be an endless, indefinite process," Sahakyan said.
She noted that under changing dynamics in Armenia-Azerbaijan relations and additional political pressure, it is possible to achieve sharp behavioral changes.
According to Sahakyan, it is necessary to assess the situation calmly and not rush to conclude that international law has no impact.
"Diminishing the role of law is an Azerbaijani thesis, but our task is to demonstrate the power of law. We should approach these issues with a longer-term perspective," she said.
According to official data, 19 Armenian detainees are being held in Azerbaijan. The "trial" of former military-political leaders of Artsakh held in Baku, which began in January 2025, concluded on February 5 this year, with verdicts announced: former Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan, former Defense Army commander Levon Mnatsakanyan, and former deputy commander Davit Manukyan were sentenced to life imprisonment. Former Artsakh presidents Arkady Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan received 20-year sentences.
Civilian detainees Madat Babayan and Melikset Pashayan were sentenced to 19 years, Garik Martirosyan to 18, Davit Alaverdyan and Levon Balayan to 16, while Erik Ghazaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan, and Vasil Beglaryan received 15-year sentences.
The case of former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan was examined in separate proceedings. On February 17, it became known that a Baku court sentenced Ruben Vardanyan to 20 years in prison.
Source: PanArmenian.Net
