We, Azerbaijanis living abroad, express our deep regret to inform you that two Azerbaijani soldiers, Babirov Agshin Gabil (born in 2004) and Akhundov Huseyn Ahliman (born in 2003), who went missing due to limited visibility and bad weather conditions in the Shahbuz District of the Nakhchivan Autonomous Republic of Azerbaijan along the border with Armenia a few days ago, have been captured by Armenia.
It is deeply concerning that the photos and videos circulated by the Armenian mass media show clear evidence of torture and inhuman actions against an Azerbaijani soldier, in violation of international law. One of the videos shows an Azerbaijani soldier being beaten and insulted while his hands are tied. This is a blatant breach of the Third Geneva Convention, which stipulates that persons who are not taking part in hostilities must be treated humanely in all circumstances, and prisoners of war must be protected at all times, particularly against acts of violence, intimidation, insults, and public curiosity.
This incident is yet another evidence of Armenia’s disregard for its obligations under the Geneva Convention, Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, and other essential international acts, as well as its widespread ethnic hatred and racial discrimination against Azerbaijanis in that country.
We call on relevant international organizations to investigate and give a proper assessment of this violence, including the violence committed by Armenia against Azerbaijani prisoners of war and civilian prisoners over the past 30 years, as well as the 3,890 missing Azerbaijanis.
As Azerbaijanis living abroad, we strongly condemn this crime and urge the international community to give a legal assessment of the actions of the Armenian government and perpetrators of the crime, and ensure the immediate and unconditional release of the Azerbaijani military personnel who have been captured.
We demand that the International Committee of the Red Cross delegation in Armenia urgently visit the captured soldiers and share information about their condition.
We invite the international community to respond to this criminal incident and call on Armenia to fulfill its obligations under international law.
