Vicken Euljekjian, an Armenian-Lebanese citizen held in an Azerbaijani prison, has been on a hunger strike for 28 days, with no available information about his health, according to his family.
Luciana Minassian, a human rights lawyer based in Argentina who represents Euljekjian, told Pastinfo that they plan to formally appeal to Azerbaijani authorities to demand medical intervention.
“The man sharing Vicken’s cell is also in critical need of medical attention. His health is deteriorating too, but the family refuses to speak about it—likely out of fear for retaliation against their loved ones in Baku,” Minassian explained.
When asked whether they expect any support from the Armenian government, Minassian said she has only been in contact with Armenia’s Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs regarding potential aid for Euljekjian’s family.
“In 2020, Armenia pledged support for families of prisoners of war. But over time, that assistance diminished—especially after the mass displacement of 120,000 people from Artsakh, which forced the government to expand its support. Aid to POW and refugee families became a burden, and gradually decreased.
We’ve closely followed the plight of these families and saw how difficult things became when the primary breadwinner was gone. I’ve repeatedly appealed to the Human Rights Defender and the ministry, urging them to provide help.
Vigen’s family has long been in hardship. His wife Linda struggled to pay for her mother’s cancer treatment. We’ve yet to receive June and July payments. Still, the family is safe thanks to help from the Armenian Orphans Aid Union. As for Vigen’s health, there’s no available information. Medical care for prisoners is nonexistent,” she added.
Euljekjian, 46, was captured by Azerbaijani forces in Artsakh on November 10, 2020—the day a ceasefire agreement was signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan, ending the 44-day war. He is one of six civilian hostages held by Azerbaijan.
*This is at least Euljekjian’s third hunger strike in recent years. In 2023, he refused food for 24 days after being banned from speaking Arabic with his wife—authorities insisted he speak Armenian, which she doesn’t understand. In May 2025, he went on a two-week hunger strike after being completely barred from calling her. He was later allowed one call per month, reportedly arranged through the International Committee of the Red Cross in June.
Over his five years in captivity, Euljekjian has been subjected to physical and psychological abuse. According to the Center for Truth and Justice, he was initially beaten until unconscious and faced mock executions. TV footage showed burn marks on his arm, where a cross tattoo used to be—evidence suggesting it may have been deliberately burned off.*
