Baku trials aimed at violating fundamental rights of illegally  detained persons - Artsakh Parliament 

ArmInfo. The trials in Baku prisons against Armenians are aimed at undermining the fundamental rights of these people and are a clear example of Azerbaijan's  growing Armenophobic policy. This is stated in the statement of the  deputies of the National Assembly of Artsakh in connection with the  upcoming illegal trial initiated by Azerbaijan against 16 Armenian  prisoners of war and hostages.

"We are all subjected to torture in Azerbaijani prisons and convicted  in courts in the person of our compatriots taken hostage, and  therefore the protection of their rights and immediate release is a  matter of dignity and moral responsibility for each of us," the  statement of the legislative body of Artsakh notes.

In addition, the deputies emphasized that the trials against  Armenians abducted and held in inhumane conditions with clearly  fabricated charges and numerous procedural violations cannot be  considered legal.

"Such processes allow the Azerbaijani administration to legitimize  the genocidal policy that is being carried out against Armenians,  especially against the people of Artsakh. We expect that states,  international organizations and human rights structures concerned  about human rights and stability in the region will take concrete  steps to facilitate the immediate release of all hostages.

We call on the international community to take a clear and principled  position condemning the inhumane policy of Azerbaijan and suppressing  any attempts at illegal legal proceedings," the statement says.

The Artsakh National Assembly also recalled that the protection of  the rights and the return of all Armenian hostages to their homeland  are the legal and moral obligations of the state bodies of the  Republic of Armenia. "We also expect consistent and decisive actions  from the Armenian authorities to draw attention to this issue in all  relevant instances, including the negotiations," the NKR parliament  emphasized.

In conclusion, there is an appeal to the Armenian population to  remain vigilant in light of possible information and psychological  provocations aimed at undermining national unity. The Artsakh  parliament also called for not spreading Azerbaijani narratives in  the Armenian information space and not condemning compatriots for  testimonies or statements made under the pressure of inhuman  repression.

"We remind you that any statement or testimony of hostages can be  distorted by the propaganda machine of Azerbaijan. Therefore, it is  necessary to exercise high vigilance and national responsibility in  this situation.

The National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh reaffirms its  commitment to protecting the rights and collective interests of the  people of Artsakh within its capabilities, one of the most important  components of which is the immediate return of Armenians illegally  held in Azerbaijani captivity to their homeland," the NKR NA  statement reads.

As ArmInfo reported earlier, on January 17, under the chairmanship of  Judge Zeynal Agayev, the Baku Military Court will consider the  "indictment" against the former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh. Among  the accused are three former presidents of Nagorno-Karabakh: Arkady  Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan and Arayik Harutyunyan. Also appearing  before the court will be former Foreign Minister David Babayan,  Parliament Speaker David Ishkhanyan, former Defense Army Commander  General Levon Mnatsakanyan, General David Manukyan and former State  Minister Ruben Vardanyan.