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Vicken Euljekjian, the civilian captive taken by Azerbaijan in 2020 and imprisoned on fabricated charges in Baku, placed a brief telephone call to his family on November 16—his first contact after more than 45 days during which Azerbaijani authorities prevented all communication—his lawyer announced.
In an affidavit published online, lawyer Luciana Minassian raised concern about Euljekjian’s deteriorating health.
According to the lawyer, during the call Mr. Euljekjian stated that: he can no longer walk; his physical condition has dramatically worsened; he now requires a wheelchair for mobility but has not been provided with one. Mr. Euljekjian reported that he had been taken to see a doctor, but that: guards prevented him from receiving any medication; no treatment or remedy was administered despite his condition; he remains without medical care, in violation of basic humanitarian standards.
Mr. Euljekjian further reported that: the only food being provided to him is tea and bread;
he is not receiving proper meals or nutrition. This appears to be deliberate deprivation and constitutes inhuman and degrading treatment, according to the lawyer.
According to Minassian, these conditions—if verified—may constitute violations of:
• international humanitarian law;
• the rights of detainees to humane treatment;
• the UN Standard Minimum Rules for the Treatment of Prisoners (Mandela Rules);
• the prohibition of cruel, inhuman, or degrading treatment.
The denial of medical care, food deprivation, obstruction of medication, and refusal to provide a wheelchair pose a grave threat to Vicken’s health and life, the lawyer added.
The lawyer urgently requested:
• an immediate independent medical evaluation;
• humanitarian access by qualified international bodies;
• provision of a wheelchair, proper nutrition, and essential medication;
• notifications to UN Special Procedures, human rights organizations, and neutral monitors.
On November 10, 2020, the day after the ceasefire agreement between Azerbaijan and Armenia, Vicken Euljekjian was captured by Azerbaijani Special Forces while collecting his personal belongings to evacuate from Shushi, Nagorno-Karabakh, which had been taken over by Azerbaijani forces. Vicken was neither a servicemember nor a combatant. Vicken Euljekjian was subsequently sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment on fabricated charges of mercenarism and terrorism, among others.