POWs

This page contains news articles, statements, interviews, and videos related to the ongoing issue of Armenian prisoners of war (POWs) held by Azerbaijan, even after the November 2020 ceasefire ending the recent Artsakh conflict. This subpage will be updated as more information is released to and by PBHR, such as conferences and interviews by former POWs.

ISHR Conferences

August 2021

• ISHR: Armenian Prisoners of War and Detainees in Azerbaijan

News Articles

May 2023

• News.am: Armenia human rights advocate: Instead of 33, we have additional 80 captives in Azerbaijan 
• News.am: Arbitrary killings of Armenians increased in Azerbaijan 
• News.am: Armenian detainees in Baku are brutally beaten, medical assistance footage is staged

March 2023

• Providence: Azerbaijan Continues Torture of Armenian Hostages  

February 2023

• News.am: Armenian side prepares complaint to ECHR against Azerbaijan on David Gishyan's death 

October 2022

• Hetq.am: Armenian HRD Rebukes International Community Over POW Torture Videos
• Armenpress.am: CoE Secretary General tells Azerbaijan to provide information on measures taken over killings of Armenian POWs
• Civilnet.am: Azerbaijan releases 17 more Armenian prisoners of war
• Hetq.am: Azerbaijan Refuses to Return Armenian POWs From the Recent September Aggressions
• AzeriWarCrimes.org: Execution of Armenian prisoners of war by Azerbaijani soldiers
• News.am: Le Figaro: International media and authorities verify gruesome video of execution of Armenian POWs by Azerbaijanis
• Azatutyun: Video Shows Execution Of Armenian Soldiers

September 2022

• Armenpress: Armenian soldier killed in Azerbaijani captivity – Office of Armenia’s Representative on international legal matters

• Panarmenian: Almost two dozen Armenians taken captive by Azerbaijan: Siranush Sahakyan

• 1Lurer: Armenia requests European Court to apply interim measures against Azerbaijan
• Civilnet: EU, US welcome release of 5 more Armenian POWs by Azerbaijan

August 2022

• Mirrorspectator: ICRC Representatives Visit Armenian PoWs in Azerbaijan  
• Armenpress: Armenian Assembly of America quotes The Christian Post, urging to release POWs and help Artsakh 

July 2022

• News.am: US Congressman Schiff introduces amendment calling for Azerbaijan’s release of all Armenian POWs, captured civilians

June 2022

• Mediamax: Mirzoyan hopes for greater efforts by Russia in returning Armenian POWs
• Armradio: Council of Europe should be more determined on issues of Armenian POWs and humanitarian access to Artsakh – FM
• Armenianweekly: Armenian POWs stand trial

May 2022

• Armradio: Azerbaijan refuses to return Armenian POWs, FM Mirzoyan tells Indian WION

March 2022

• Panorama: Baku court sentences two Armenian POWs to 19 and 18 years in jail
• Armradio: 38 Armenian POWs and civilians still in Azerbaijani captivity – FM

February 2022

• France24: Azerbaijan releases eight Armenian prisoners after French-EU mediation ​
• Hetq: Armenian Opposition MP Calls on International Community to Address Azerbaijani Mistreatment of Armenian POWs  
• Armenianweekly: Fate of Armenian POWs: Captivity or prosecution?

July 2021  

• PanArmenian and BBC Russia: BBC: Former Armenian PoW recalls brutal treatment in Azerbaijan
• Radio Free Europe-Radio Liberty: Azerbaijan Imprisons 13 Armenian Military Personnel For Six Years
• EurasiaNet: Armenian soldiers on trial in Azerbaijan

June 2021

• Politico: Azerbaijan trades Armenian prisoners of war for mine maps
• Radio Free Europe-Radio Liberty: Senior U.S. Diplomat Voices Concern Over The Fate Of Prisoners From Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict

March 2021

• Human Rights Watch: Survivors of unlawful detention in Nagorno-Karabakh speak out about war crimes
• Washington Post: With Armenian captives at issue, conflict over Nagorno-Karabakh continues to rankle
• Public Radio of Armenia: Armenian Maral Najarian released from Azerbaijani captivity
• ArmenPress: Human Rights Watch calls for international pressure on Azerbaijan over Armenian POWs

January 2021

• Azatutyun: Pashinian Again Faulted For Lack Of Progress On Armenian POWs
• ArmenPress: Armenian Prosecutor General raises issue of POWs meeting with his Azerbaijani, Russian counterparts

December 2020

• Public Radio of Armenia: The three captives handed over to Armenia were elderly civilians with serious health problems

Reports

September 2021

• Armenian Ombudsman: Responsibility of Azerbaijan for Torture and Inhuman Treatment of Armenian Captives: Evidence Based Analysis

• Center for Truth & Justice: Initiating an Investigation: White Paper on Azerbaijan’s Torture and Mistreatment of Armenian Prisoners of War (POWs) During and After the 2020 Nagorno-Karabakh War

April 2021

• Democracy Today: 44-Day War: War Crimes and International Law
• Vice: ‘They Chained Me to a Radiator and Beat Me’: Armenian POWs Speak Out  

March 2021

• Human Rights Watch: Azerbaijan: Armenian POWs Abused in Custody

February 2021

• Carneigie Europe: Unfinished Business in the Armenia-Azerbaijan Conflict

December 2020

• Human Rights Watch: Azerbaijan: Armenian Prisoners of War Badly Mistreated

Statements

April 2021

• OSCE Minsk Group:Statement by the Co-Chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group