An independent international researcher attempting to attend the trial of Armenian prisoners of war in Baku was subjected to harassment and intimidation by Azerbaijani special services. The researcher, who intended to observe the proceedings and report on them independently, was denied entry to the military court and later faced pressure after Azerbaijani authorities became aware of the purpose of their visit.
Speaking to the Haylur program on Armenia’s 5th Channel, Siranush Sahakyan, head of the Center for International and Comparative Law and legal representative of Armenian POWs, confirmed the incident. “The researcher, who had no ties to the detainees and was not representing them legally, located the court building only with great difficulty, but was ultimately denied access,” Sahakyan stated. “Their intention was simply to attend the trial as an observer and report the facts in a future article.”
Sahakyan added that even accredited members of diplomatic missions in Baku have been unable to gain entry to the Baku Military Court to observe these trials. “Azerbaijan’s legal framework is nominally aligned with international standards, which guarantee public access to open court hearings. But in practice, these standards are being blatantly ignored,” she said.
The human rights lawyer also highlighted the increasingly severe restrictions placed on Armenian detainees in Baku. For the past two months, International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) staff have reportedly been unable to visit Armenian prisoners of war who have been sentenced. According to Sahakyan, this may be part of an intentional strategy by Azerbaijani authorities to prevent international scrutiny.
“We have reason to believe these restrictions are meant to conceal evidence of torture and ill-treatment,” she warned. “At the same time, we are witnessing an alarming psychological toll on the families of the missing and imprisoned. There has been a noticeable increase in sudden deaths among these families, which reflects the severe emotional distress caused by prolonged uncertainty and fear.”
Sahakyan underscored the urgency of international attention, pointing out that these developments are regularly communicated to international human rights mechanisms and institutions.