11:11, 7 March 2019

Armenian authorities report steps to return convict Kazaryan from Azerbaijan

An alleged scout. Photo by the press service of the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence

Armenian officials are making every effort to return Karen Kazaryan, sentenced to 20 years in an Azerbaijani high-security colony, back home. Kazaryan's parents claim that the jail has markedly worsened their son's poor health.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that in late February, the court in Azerbaijan found Karen Kazaryan, an Armenian citizen, guilty of crimes against human life and health, smuggling, illegal border crossing, terrorism, illegal arms circulation and an attempt on the foundations of the constitutional order. Armenian authorities treated Kazaryan's verdict as a violation of the international law.

Karen Kazaryan, a resident of the village of Berdavan, Tavush Region of Armenia, disappeared on July 15, 2018. The Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced "the prevention of a diversion act and capture of a scout Karen Kazaryan in the Gazakh District."

Artak Zeinalyan, the Armenian Minister of Justice, has urged to avoid the term "captive" in relation to Kazaryan. According to his version, Kazaryan was arrested in Azerbaijan, and "the difference between captivity and arrest is significant," because different legal regimes are applied in each of the cases.

Residents of Armenia held three protest actions, demanding the return Karen Kazaryan to his homeland. By refusing to exchange prisoners of war, Armenia violates its international obligations, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated on November 21, 2018.

This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on March 7, 2019 at 01:25 am MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.

Author: Armine Martirosyan

Source: CK correspondent