David Ishkhanyan called on Armenian officials to demonstrate some dignity in protecting the rights of Armenians held in Baku

ArmInfo. Artsakh Parliament Speaker David Ishkhanyan, who has been in Azerbaijani captivity since September 2023, sent another message from a Baku prison this year, addressing the activities of the Armenian and Azerbaijani Ombudsmen and calling on the Armenian authorities to show some dignity.

In an audio message distributed in Armenian media, referring to Azerbaijani Ombudsman Sabina Aliyeva's statement that actions against Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan are carried out within the law, human rights, and international norms, and that she is in contact with Armenians, Ishkhanyan noted that Aliyeva met with them three times in three years.

According to him, the last meeting took place on May 5 of this year, four months ago. "During these confidential meetings, as she said, we very openly and clearly provided her with a lot of information about our rights, violations of international law, both related to our rights and other issues. We expected her mediation and support. We are not ungrateful, and, taking this opportunity, I would like to once again publicly thank Ms. Sabina for her kindness, coffee, tea, sweets, and books she sent us, but our problems are not everyday life; everyday life is secondary," he added.

]He further recalled that during the meeting on May 5 of this year, he had written and verbally appealed to the ombudsman with a request to convey to his family the Azerbaijani and Armenian versions of the military court's verdict of February 5. "I also informed her that neither my lawyer nor any other defense lawyer has this verdict. By the way, there is still no ban on this. She promised to deliver the Azerbaijani version of the verdict. More than four months have passed, and still nothing. My family and I are waiting, Ms. Aliyeva. Do my family and relatives have the right to know the charges we are being tried on and the verdict? Is the same true for other families? Is it a violation of law or regulation that defense lawyers are not being provided with the indictment or verdict? We are also trying to convey what we have, but they are not allowing us; they are simply creating obstacles," he continued.

He also noted that seven months have passed since the verdict was handed down to the Armenian prisoners, but the verdict has not yet been published anywhere, nor do they have access to the decision of the Baku court of August 6, 2026.

He then addressed the Human Rights Defender of Armenia and individuals belonging to the Armenian government. "Dear Human Rights Defender of the Republic of Armenia, on May 6, I contacted you remotely with several questions, with certain expectations, but to no avail. I won't repeat the questions, but back then I doubted your responsibility and courage, and I think I was right. It would have been easy for you to obtain this verdict and indictment by any means necessary and deliver them to my family. At the same time, you would have been able to familiarize yourself with the contents and learn what fabricated and false charges and formulations were brought against our people and our state.

Now I invite you to the Umbacha Correctional Facility in Azerbaijan to meet with us. I think this will fit perfectly within the framework of current political relations and there shouldn't be any complications. Come and meet those convicted in the peace process. Your colleague from the Republic of Azerbaijan will likely accompany you, and you will, as they say, learn about everything firsthand," Ishkhanyan added.

In his address to the competent Armenian authorities, he urged them to demand and receive verdicts against them. "Demand and receive, as the Azerbaijani press puts it, documents called indictments and sentences against citizens of the Republic of Armenia of Armenian descent, and decide for yourselves whether there are any issues here that affect Armenian statehood and the state, as well as the rights and honor of the Armenian people. Naturally, we have given and continue to give reasoned, well-reasoned, and dignified responses and explanations to all of this. Have no doubt that this process has turned into a complete fiasco for the Azerbaijani judicial system. We spoke about this in court, but how the dependent and censored press present at the court hearing is presenting it is another matter.

As the saying goes, dirt under snow will eventually surface. Dear gentlemen, government officials, these 19 people in Azerbaijan are citizens of the Republic of Armenia. Please know that this is not a matter of our personal honor, but a matter of the honor of all of us, especially yours. "Simply put, have some courage and dignity, follow the example of foreigners," Ish'anyan concluded.

It should be noted that the exact number of Armenian prisoners of war and hostages held in Azerbaijani prisons is still unknown. Experts estimate there are several hundred. Today, Azerbaijani authorities confirm the presence of 19 Armenians in their custody. Among those held in Azerbaijani captivity are eight former and current representatives of the military-political leadership of Artsakh. These are former presidents of Artsakh; Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Arayik Harutyunyan, former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan, as well as Parliament Speaker Davit Ishkhanyan, former Commander of the Artsakh Defense Army, General Levon Mnatsakanyan, General David Manukyan, and former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan.

In February, the Baku puppet court sentenced Arayik Harutyunyan, Davit Babayan, Davit Ishkhanyan, Davit Manukyan, and Levon Mnatsakanyan to life imprisonment on trumped-up charges, and Bako Sahakyan, Arkady Ghukasyan, and Ruben Vardanyan to 20 years in prison. The so-called court sentenced the remaining Artsakh residents to up to 15 years in prison.