YEREVAN, FEBRUARY 17, ARMENPRESS. Larisa Alaverdyan, executive director of the “Against Legal Arbitrariness” NGO, former Human Rights Defender of Armenia, recommends Marian Mirzoyan, sister of Russian citizen Marat Ueldanov-Galustyan, who is arrested in Azerbaijan, to apply to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) over his brother’s case since certain norms are violated, reports “Armenpress”.

“I was in contact with his sister Mariana Mirzoyan, and as a result of our pressure the representatives of the international Red Cross started their visits. We see that even now the situation is not the same as it was in the 90s when the Red Cross was more respected in Azerbaijan”, she said.

Larisa Alaverdyan said Armenia as a third side must try to find ways to be involved in the process of Marat Ueldanov-Galustyan’s case. “The national identity of this person allows this: this is not a secret for anyone”, Alaverdyan said.

Asked how can Russia’s such passive behavior be explained in case when Ueldanov-Galustyan is a citizen of Russia, Alaverdyan said this is not only surprising but also it must be condemned. “I am really concerned over the calming statements the Russian side makes. Here we must also understand that the talk is not over the violations of this or that norm in the civilized world, rather, the talk is about the regress from the civilization to barbarism”, she said, adding that not only the state structures, but also public, legal structures must take actions.

Marat Ueldanov-Galustyan has been arrested on June 9 under the Article of 234.4.3 of the Azerbaijan’s Criminal Code which proposes punishment for illegal preparing, producing, acquiring, maintaining and transferring large amount of drugs. His sister Mariana Mirzoyan insists that false charge has been accused against his brother.

Earlier the Russian MFA told “Armenpress” that necessary measures are being taken towards the protection of rights of the Russian citizen.

“We are taking measures towards the Russian citizen’s protection of rights set by the law regardless of his nationality within the framework of the international law and bilateral agreements”, the Russian MFA’s statement said.

Russian MFA’s official representative Maria Zakharova said the Russian side does not consider the issue of arrest or providing support to Russian citizen Marat Ueldanov-Galustyan in Baku in the context of national issues.

Recently it became known that Marat Ueldanov-Galustyan called his family members and said goodbye.