Armenian prisoners held in Baku report injuries and health problems, lawyer says

Armenian prisoners of war and hostages held in Azerbaijan have reported injuries and health problems during phone calls with their families, according to Armenian human rights lawyer Siranush Sahakyan, who said the information has been forwarded to international organisations.

Speaking to Panorama.am on Saturday, Sahakyan confirmed reports that the detainees had described health concerns and injuries to relatives, who later passed the information on to her.

"The information is accurate in that the individuals held in Baku told their families about health problems or injuries during their conversations," Sahakyan said. "Their relatives shared that information with us, and we subsequently alerted international organisations and raised the issue through the appropriate channels."

Sahakyan said the situation has been exacerbated by the lack of independent monitoring, noting that the International Committee of the Red Cross is no longer carrying out visits to Armenian prisoners and that no arrangements have been reached to resume access.

"There are no independent medical examinations and no independent legal representation that could document or help prevent such incidents," she said. "This isolation inevitably increases their vulnerability and may lead to further serious physical and psychological consequences."

She called for the restoration of humanitarian access as an immediate priority, suggesting that independent medical teams be allowed to visit the detainees or that consular visits be arranged through a third country.

"Pressure for their release must continue," Sahakyan said. "At the same time, it is essential to ensure access for an independent medical and humanitarian monitoring mission to the Armenians being held in Baku."

Asked whether the reported injuries were consistent with torture or other serious abuse, Sahakyan declined to elaborate, saying the details had already been provided confidentially to international organisations.

"We are aware of the full details, but we believe it is not appropriate to disclose them publicly at this stage," she said.

Sahakyan also urged the Armenian government to seek consular access through a third country and step up efforts to persuade Azerbaijan to allow visits by the International Committee of the Red Cross or an independent medical mission.