Monday, December 25 2023 12:45

ArmInfo. Human rights  lawyer Luciana Minassian and Turkish journalist Uzay Bulut addressed  an open letter to the ICRC Yerevan Office on behalf of the family of  the Armenian citizen, Vicken Euljeckjian, who has been kept in Baku  since November 2020. 

The letter reads: 

"To Zara Amatuni,

"ICRC Yerevan, Armenia

"Dear Madam Amatuni,

"We are writing on behalf of the family of the Armenian citizen,  Vicken Euljeckjian, who live in Beirut, Lebanon. Over three weeks  ago, Vicken's family was informed about the possibility that he would  be among the 32 POWs (prisoners of war) to be freed by Azerbaijan  government in exchange for two Azerbaijani citizens detained in  Armenia. 

"Vicken Euljeckjian is from Lebanon with dual Armenian and Lebanese  citizenship. He was illegally kidnapped from Nagorno- Karabakh  (Artsakh) by Azeri soldiers and has been jailed in Azerbaijan since  his capture in November 2020. He is stated as a civilian in the  Armenian registers - along with the first two other civilians  captured by Azerbaijan at the same period:  humanitarian aid workers  Gevorg Sujyan and Davit Davtyan. All three were subjected to sham,  illegal trials in Baku.  

"Vicken was captured in Sushi (Artsakh/Nagorno-Karabakh), together  with Maral Najarian (who was later released) the day after the 2020  ceasefire agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia. They were both  charged as "illegal mercenaries" from Lebanon. 

"Vicken was tried before the Baku Military Court: The presiding judge  was Elbay Allahverdiyev - under articles 114.3, 214.2.1, 214.2.3,  228.2.1,279.1 and 381.2 of the Azerbaijani Criminal Code. Vicken was  sentenced to 20 years in a Baku detention facility.

"The Euljeckjian family prepared for Vicken's arrival with great joy  and expectations ever since his name appeared on a list of candidates  scheduled to be released which was shared on social media. The family  was devastated when on December 13, 32 prisoners were released,  including 26 from the Shirak region, but Vicken was swapped at the  last minute for another prisoner. 

"Observers have determined that the last-minute swap might be due to  Vicken's failing health conditions and grave mental and emotional  duress. Not to mention that he has been living under unbearable  prison conditions. We are asking for your assistance in finding the  necessary means to confirm Vicken's health and well-being.

"We are aware that the official list of Armenian POWs is about 55,  including the Armenian political prisoners arrested in October 2023  at the Azerbaijani checkpoint. 

"We are also aware that, according to statements by Armenia's human  rights ombudsman, Siranush Sahakian, there might be at least 80  additional POWs currently being illegally held in Baku's notorious  prisons.

"Unfortunately, we cannot provide specific names of the additional  POWs, which would include combatants and civilians who disappeared  during the September 2022 skirmishes with Azerbaijan and during the  fuel tank explosion in Artsakh/Nagorno- Karabakh.

"We request your kind intervention to urgently obtain information, on  behalf of Vicken's family, about the whereabouts of Vicken  Euljeckjian and his health so to bring peace of mind and hope to his  family.

"With gratitude and warmest wishes,

"Vicken Euljeckjian's family

"Lebanon

"Signatories to this letter:

"The Coalition of 120,000 Reasons

"Christian Solidarity International

"Global ARM, USA

"Anglican Office for Government and International Affairs

"The Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA)

"In Defense of Christians (IDC)

"The Hellenic American Leadership Council (HALC)

"The Iraqi Christian Relief Council (ICRC)

"Please sign the petition: Support Linda Euljeckjian's plea. Her  husband, Vicken, has been unjustly detained in Baku."

https://www.change.org/p/support-linda-euljeckjian-s-plea-her-husband-vicken-has-been-unjustly-detained-in-baku