Member of the European Parliament Fernand Karthäuser (Luxembourg) has submitted urgent written questions to the European Commission, inquiring whether it is possible to send EU representatives to Baku to observe the trials of Armenian prisoners. The statement was released by the European Armenian Federation for Justice and Democracy (EAFJD).
The MEP highlighted Azerbaijan’s recent order to close the ICRC office in Baku, the only international body previously allowed to visit detained Armenians. According to Karthäuser, this move eliminates external humanitarian oversight of detention conditions, reports Sputnik Armenia.
“Reliable information also indicates worsening health conditions of several detainees, denial of necessary medical care, lack of family contact, solitary confinement, as well as politically motivated and fabricated charges,” he wrote.
Despite this, during a parliamentary hearing in Belgium last April, the Azerbaijani ambassador claimed that the trials of Armenians were open to all foreign diplomats based in Baku.
Karthäuser also cited Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan’s recent statement affirming that the issue of detainees remains unresolved and that their release continues to be a key humanitarian priority.
“Given these developments and the EU’s mediation role in the region, what specific actions will the Commission take to ensure that the EU delegation in Baku, or another international observer, is present at upcoming trials of Armenian detainees, and to support urgent and independent medical assessments for those at risk?” Karthäuser asked.
He further requested a clear timeline for when the Commission will publicly report on its actions and Azerbaijan’s compliance with its international obligations.
Baku authorities have officially confirmed the detention of 23 Armenians, 17 of whom were transferred to Azerbaijan following its September 2023 military offensive against Nagorno-Karabakh. Among them are former State Minister and philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan, former Defense Army Commander Levon Mnatsakanyan, ex-Deputy Commander Davit Manukyan, former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan, National Assembly President Davit Ishkhanyan, and former Presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Arayik Harutyunyan.
