Representatives of Azerbaijani Ombudsperson visit Gazaryan
Employees of the Ombudsperson of Azerbaijan have visited the Armenian soldier, Araik Gazaryan, who was detained on the frontline on August 12. According to the Ombudsperson's press service, the soldier had no complaints about his custody conditions and treatment.
The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on August 12, the press service of the Ministry of Defence (MoD) of the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR) reported that Araik Gazaryan, a soldier of the NKR's Defence Army, deserted to the side of Azerbaijan. The soldier said that he fled because of the lawlessness in his military unit, the Azerbaijani MoD has asserted, claiming that he "was subjected to physical and moral pressure by his commanders, as evidenced by haematomas on his head and injuries on his body."
On August 14, the Investigating Committee of Armenia announced that Araik Gazaryan had got no bodily injuries before he crossed the border with Azerbaijan. The NKR's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has called Gazaryan to be a prisoner of war and said that it would seek his return to his homeland.
The employees of the National Preventive Group under the Azerbaijani Ombudsperson have visited the detained Armenian soldier, who is kept at the guardhouse of the Azerbaijani MoD, without any prior warning.
"During a conversation with A. Gazaryan, run with the help of an interpreter, the soldier said that he had undergone a medical examination; his health condition was normal; and he was satisfied with his custody conditions, treatment and nutrition. Gazaryan also said that his rights were not violated; and he had no complaints," the office of the Azerbaijani Ombudsperson says in its statement.
This article was originally published on the Russian page of 24/7 Internet agency ‘Caucasian Knot’ on August 15, 2019 at 11:54 pm MSK. To access the full text of the article, click here.
Source: CK correspondent