Linda Euljekian, the wife of Armenian prisoner of war Vicken Euljekian, has raised the alarm that her husband has been on a hunger strike for 20 days in a Baku prison. She said she received a phone call from him and learned that his condition is critical, Pastinfo reports.
Linda said she was shocked to hear his voice: “My husband is trying to appeal to the world through his hunger strike—for himself and his fellow prisoners. I am losing him. His life is in danger. He told me he needs a doctor, he is in unbearable pain. The Azerbaijanis are not providing him with medical care. I appeal to the whole world—my only goal is for my husband to stay alive.”
She last saw him months ago via video call, at which time he already looked ill and emaciated. “Imagine what his condition must be after 20 days of hunger strike. After a peace agreement, prisoners should be released. If the war is over, what are they waiting for? I want to appeal to Nikol Pashinyan, as a woman who needs his support. We are a ruined family. I ask him to look at all the desperate mothers. My request to all leaders is one: please help me. I am about to lose my mother, I don’t want to lose my husband too. I need him,” she said.
Vicken Euljekian was captured on November 9, 2020, near Shushi—one day after the ceasefire declaration—along with Maral Najarian. They had gone to Artsakh to collect personal belongings but were detained by Azerbaijani forces and taken to Baku. Najarian was released in March 2021, while on June 14, 2021, a Baku court sentenced Euljekian to 20 years in prison.
