YEREVAN, AUGUST 25, ARMENPRESS.  Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Armenia Karen Andreasyan has sent a letter to the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay on the case of the Armenian citizen Karen Petrosyan taken captive in Azerbaijan and killed on the following day. As reports “Armenpress”, in his letter, Andreasyan pareticularly said that the Azerbaijani side humiliated and tortured Petrosyan, who obviously had mental problems, and presented him as a saboteur. This was followed by Azerbaijan's claims that Karen Petrosyan “unexpectedly died from a heart failure”.

As 17 days passed since his death, Azerbaijani side has not returned the body of Petrosyan in an attempt to hide the traces of torture, Ombudsman wrote.

Andreasyan reminded of a tragic precedent – the death of shepherd Manvel Saribekyan in Azerbaijan in 2010, as well as the case of Mamikon Khojoyan who died soon after being released from captivity.

The letter says Azerbaijan's Ombudswoman Elmira Suleymanova has not expressed any position in connection with the murder of Karen Petrosyan so far. Such behavior was expected, as the official has welcomed the actions of Ramil Safarov.

“Torture against a captive is contrary to the norms of the International Humanitarian Law, the provisions of the Geneva Convention. I am urging not to remain indifferent and to condemn the illegal actions of Azerbaijan, to facilitate the handover of Karen Petrosyan's body, as well as to assist a thorough, unbiased investigation into the murder,” Ombudsman resumed.