Armenian Prisoners in Azerbaijan Face Allegations of Religious and Human Rights Restrictions

Human rights lawyer Siranush Sahakian has reported that 20 ethnic Armenian prisoners, detained following Azerbaijan’s 2023 military takeover of Nagorno-Karabakh, are being held in absolute isolation. Sahakian, who represents the detainees before the European Court of Human Rights, stated that the prisoners are denied access to family members, independent medical professionals, and international humanitarian monitors. Communication is reportedly limited to monitored telephone calls that authorities may terminate at any time.

Beyond concerns regarding isolation and inadequate medical care, Sahakian alleged that the detainees face restrictions on their Christian religious practices. These claims include the denial of Bibles and a report of a cross-shaped tattoo being removed by burning. Azerbaijani officials have rejected these allegations of mistreatment and religious discrimination as unfounded. The 20 prisoners, which include eight former leaders of the Nagorno-Karabakh region, have been convicted in Azerbaijani courts on various charges, with sentences ranging from 20 years to life imprisonment.