PanARMENIAN.Net - The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) representatives visited all Armenian individuals held in Azerbaijan on December 24 and 25. This was reported by Zara Amatuni, Communications Officer for the ICRC Yerevan office, according to RFE/RL.
Amatuni noted that a doctor was also part of the visiting delegation.
"As per protocol, the focus during the visit, as in previous ones, was on health issues, the treatment of detainees, and their detention conditions," Amatuni stated.
Families were not allowed to send parcels, and the visit was limited to private meetings conducted by the organization and a general assessment.
At Azerbaijan's demand, the ICRC has suspended its operations in the country. Amatuni clarified that the visit was organized by the ICRC's Geneva headquarters and was the result of ongoing dialogue between the ICRC and Azerbaijani authorities.
"We remain ready and open to continue our efforts in this direction," she added.
According to official data, 23 Armenian detainees are currently held in Baku, many of whom have been in isolation for months. Two days ago, reports indicated a sharp deterioration in the health of 70-year-old Vagif Khachatryan, one of the detainees. He was hospitalized after reportedly suffering from shortness of breath and chest pain, according to Azerbaijani sources.
In a separate case, the Ganja Serious Crimes Court sentenced 58-year-old Karen Avanesyan to 16 years in prison following a brief trial. He was convicted on eight serious charges.
Source: PanArmenian.Net
