Health condition of Artsakh officials in Baku prisons has deteriorated – media

The health condition of former Artsakh presidents Bako Sahakyan, Arayik Harutyunyan, former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, and former Commander of Artsakh Armed Forces Levon Mnatsakanyan has deteriorated again, which proves inhuman treatment in Baku prisons and gross violations of international norms, the Zhoghovurd newspaper reports, citing its sources.

“The military-political leadership of Nagorno-Karabakh has been unlawfully held in Baku prisons for almost a year. During this period, there have been many signals about the deterioration of their health condition. Levon Mnatsakanyan has serious problems with diabetes, the disease worsened in Baku prison. Bako Sahakyan has serious problems with his blood pressure and cardiovascular system. In April, Ruben Vardanyan’s family stated that he went on a hunger strike, demanding the immediate release of all Armenian prisoners. Vardanyan’s health deteriorated due to the hunger strike and poor detention conditions. Arayik Harutyunyan made it clear during the conversation with his family members that they should not hope for their return and live without them.

Zara Amatuni, the head of the ICRC delegation’s communication programs in Armenia, said that the Red Cross staff in Baku periodically continues to visit all Armenians held in Azerbaijan. According to her, among them are people whose names have been confirmed by the Azerbaijani authorities to the organization.

“The latest meeting with these persons took place in July. The focus of our attention has been and remains on the health status of these individuals, their treatment, and the conditions of detention. However, our organization cannot comment on all this on a public platform; these issues are discussed only with the authorities as well as with family members. During the meetings of our delegates, each person is given the opportunity to contact their relatives,” Amatuni added.

“We hope that after our publication, the signal will not remain unnoticed by international platforms,” the newspaper notes.