\nVicken Euljeckjian<\/strong> moved from Lebanon to Armenia in 2018, hoping for a fresh start. With Lebanon embroiled in conflict and on the brink of an economic crisis, Vicken believed that his homeland would offer safety and prosperity. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
He took on various jobs to make ends meet before settling in Shushi, the second-largest city in Nagorno-Karabakh, a disputed enclave internationally recognized as part of Azerbaijan. Vicken\u2019s wife and children, who had stayed in Beirut, planned to reunite with him there. Then, in September 2020, the unresolved conflict<\/a> over Karabakh escalated into an all-out war between Armenia and Azerbaijan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
As a dual Armenian-Lebanese citizen, Vicken volunteered to join the army at the start of the war. However, he returned to Yerevan just a few days later, his family said. The war lasted six weeks, ending with a Russia-brokered ceasefire on November 9 (the day after Azerbaijan announced that it had captured Shushi, which Azerbaijanis call Shusha). <\/strong><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n
Believing it was safe to return, Vicken set out for Nagorno-Karabakh along with another Lebanese-Armenian, Maral Najarian<\/strong>. <\/strong>Vicken\u2019s son, Serge Euljeckjian<\/strong>, remembers talking to his father on the phone while he was en route. \u201cHe said, \u2018I\u2019m going to pick up my belongings from Shushi, and then I\u2019ll call you,\u2019\u201d Serge told The Beet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Maral Najarian, Armenian Office of the High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n Vicken never called back. Three months later, his family learned that he and Maral had been captured by Azerbaijani soldiers and sent to Baku. Azerbaijan released<\/a> Maral in March 2021, but Vicken went on trial for terrorism, illegal border crossing, and fighting as a mercenary (investigators alleged that he was paid $2,500); a Baku court subsequently sentenced<\/a> him to 20 years in prison.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Four years later, Vicken is one of 23 Armenian prisoners of war and civilian detainees languishing in Azerbaijani jails as officials in Yerevan and Baku claim to be making progress<\/a> on a peace deal that reportedly does not include the issue of their release. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018He didn\u2019t even take up arms\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The most recent prisoner swap<\/a> between Armenia and Azerbaijan took place last December, after Yerevan lifted its veto on Baku hosting the U.N. Climate Change Conference (COP29), resulting in the exchange of 32 Armenian service members for the last two Azerbaijani soldiers in Armenia\u2019s custody. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to his family, Vicken Euljeckjian, 44, was supposed to be included in this swap. \u201cThe Red Cross informed us that Vicken was among the returning captives. However, at the last moment, my father was removed from the flight. The Red Cross had already collected his documents, but Azerbaijan released someone else in his place,\u201d Serge recalled. \u201cLater, the Red Cross contacted us, explaining that Vicken\u2019s name had been removed from the list, though they couldn\u2019t provide a reason why.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gevorg Sujyan<\/strong>, 35, and Davit Davtyan<\/strong>, 31, also weren\u2019t included in the exchange. Like Vicken, the two men were captured just after the 2020 ceasefire; they disappeared on November 11, while transporting humanitarian aid to Nagorno-Karabakh via the Lachin corridor, the mountain road linking the region to Armenia. \u201cAfter the war, there was no word from him. We desperately searched for him,\u201d recalled Tigran Davtyan, Davit\u2019s father.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The family\u2019s search led them to Karabakh, where they even obtained lists of the deceased from the morgues. Then, Davit and Gevorg were spotted in a video of Armenian prisoners circulating online. The Red Cross later confirmed that Azerbaijani soldiers had captured them. A Baku court sentenced both men to 15 years in prison on charges<\/a> of \u201cespionage and illegal border crossing\u201d in July 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Davit Davtyan, Davtyan family archive<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n \u201cGevorg\u2019s only purpose in going to Artsakh [the Armenian name for Karabakh] was to provide humanitarian aid and support those in need,\u201d said his wife, Lilit Sujyan. \u201cGevorg didn\u2019t do anything wrong \u2014 he didn\u2019t even take up arms during the war. Azerbaijan convicted him on fabricated charges.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Both the Armenian authorities and international rights organizations have long raised concerns about Azerbaijan\u2019s treatment of prisoners of war and civilian detainees. In a 2021 report, Human Rights Watch documented<\/a> the torture and ill-treatment of Armenian POWs in Azerbaijani custody; Baku rejected<\/a> the findings as \u201cone-sided\u201d and lacking objectivity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the U.S. State Department\u2019s human rights report<\/a> on Azerbaijan, public trials of Armenian soldiers and civilians lacked essential elements of due process. The report notes that in Vicken\u2019s case, Azerbaijani authorities released a video of him confessing \u201cunder apparent duress\u201d and didn\u2019t allow him to choose his own lawyer. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cCourt proceedings in the case of civilians Gevorg Sujyan and Davit Davtyan similarly violated due process by failing to provide them with independent legal counsel of their own choosing; compelling both to testify against themselves or confess guilt; and not allowing them to call and examine their own witnesses,\u201d the report states.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In late 2021, the Council of Europe\u2019s Commissioner for Human Rights called on<\/a> Azerbaijan to release Armenian prisoners of war and other detainees under the Geneva Conventions. In response, Baku accused<\/a> the Commissioner of \u201cgross interference\u201d in its internal affairs, maintaining that all Armenian POWs had been released and the remaining detainees were serving criminal sentences handed down by \u201ccompetent courts.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Gevorg Sujyan, Sujyan family archive<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n In a recent statement<\/a>, Armenian Human Rights Defender Anahit Manasyan<\/strong> said that the fundamental rights of Armenians detained in Azerbaijan cannot be guaranteed, due to \u201can atmosphere of hatred towards ethnic Armenians and the violation of the presumption of innocence.\u201d In response to The Beet\u2019s questions, Manasyan\u2019s adviser, Arthur Aslanyan<\/strong>, echoed these concerns. \u201cA fair trial and proper handling of their cases, following the rules of due process, cannot be guaranteed by a partial court,\u201d Aslanyan said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Severe psychological pressure\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The Red Cross is the only organization permitted to visit the Armenian detainees held in Baku. Zara Amatuni<\/strong>, the communications and prevention manager for the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Armenia, told The Beet that the organization conducts regular visits. However, she declined to disclose any details about the captives\u2019 conditions, citing confidentiality.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn general, the Red Cross does not publicly address individual cases when visiting detention facilities. However, I can confirm that we have met with all individuals held in Baku whose detention has been acknowledged by the Azerbaijani government,\u201d Amatuni said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Vicken Euljeckjian, Euljeckjian family archive<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n During a recent Red Cross visit, Vicken was able to telephone his wife, Linda Euljeckjian<\/strong>, who hadn\u2019t heard from him in four months. \u201cVicken told me he\u2019s fine, but he wouldn\u2019t answer my questions about why he hadn\u2019t called me for so long,\u201d Linda said. The Red Cross, which visited Vicken during this period, didn\u2019t explain the lack of communication to his family. \u201cThis confirms my worst fears \u2014 that he\u2019s not psychologically well,\u201d said Linda. \u201cFor two years, I\u2019ve been saying that Vicken\u2019s mental state is deteriorating. He needs sedatives and is under severe psychological pressure.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Lilit Sujyan, who also maintains contact with her husband Gevorg through the Red Cross, said their conversations mainly revolve around their 12-year-old son. \u201cThis situation is most difficult for our son,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to the ICRC office in Baku, the Red Cross facilitated<\/a> the return of roughly 700 Armenian and Azerbaijani captives between 1990 and 2020. The most recent prisoner exchange, in December 2023, came just months after Azerbaijan took full control<\/a> of Nagorno-Karabakh in a 24-hour offensive that led to the fall of its de facto government, the internationally unrecognized Republic of Artsakh. More than 100,000 ethnic Armenians subsequently fled the region<\/a>, while Azerbaijani security forces arrested<\/a> former Artsakh leaders, including de facto former president Arayik Harutyunyan<\/strong> and Armenian-Russian billionaire Ruben Vardanyan<\/strong>. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Videos released by Azerbaijan\u2019s State Security Service show agents in Baku escorting Ruben Vardanyan (left) on September 28, 2023, and Arayik Harutyunyan (right) on October 5, 2023. State Security Service of the Republic of Azerbaijan \/ AP \/ Scanpix \/ LETA; State Security Service of Azerbaijan \/ EPA \/ Scanpix \/ LETA<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n The confirmed list of Armenians jailed in Azerbaijan reportedly<\/a> includes five civilians, 10 soldiers, and eight ex-Karabakh officials. Human rights lawyers also claim<\/a> that another 80 Armenians who are officially unaccounted for are actually in Azerbaijani custody. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Azerbaijan has brought a variety of charges<\/a> against the former Karabakh officials, mainly related to terrorism, but it\u2019s unclear when they will stand trial. Vardanyan, who relinquished his Russian citizenship in 2022 and took office as Karabakh\u2019s state minister, mounted a hunger strike<\/a> earlier this year to protest his detention. His lawyers then filed lawsuits<\/a> against Baku in October, alleging Vardanyan had been tortured and denied the right to a speedy trial.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Armenian government has also filed a complaint<\/a> with the European Court of Human Rights accusing Baku of violating the rights of Armenian prisoners. However, Vardanyan\u2019s son David <\/strong>recently told Eurasianet<\/a> that he didn\u2019t know if officials in Yerevan are engaging Azerbaijan on the issue in other ways. \u201cThere hasn\u2019t been any concrete discussion or steps voiced to us by the Armenian government,\u201d he said. \u201cI remain hopeful that something is being done behind the scenes.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The bank that made Vardanyan his fortune, Troika Dialog, was implicated in a vast money laundering scheme<\/a> in 2019. In a 2023 interview<\/a> with Meduza, Vardanyan rejected the notion that he\u2019d renounced his Russian citizenship and relocated to Karabakh to evade the threat of Western sanctions. However, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has since publicly questioned<\/a> Vardanyan\u2019s motivations for moving to the disputed region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
David Vardanyan maintains that his father was motivated by a sense of Armenian patriotism. \u201cHe knew there was a worse outcome for him than being taken prisoner,\u201d Vardanyan Jr. told Eurasianet. \u201cYet he decided to go.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u2018Negotiations are in Baku\u2019s hands\u2019<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
In September, amid reports that Baku and Yerevan were making progress in their on-and-off negotiations over a potential peace treaty, Armenian National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan <\/strong>told journalists<\/a> that the draft agreement didn\u2019t cover the issue of Armenian prisoners. \u201cTalks on the issue of captives are taking place in all formats, but they are not included in the peace treaty,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Earlier, both<\/a> sides<\/a> announced that approximately 80 percent of the agreement\u2019s terms had been reached and suggested signing<\/a> the peace deal ahead of COP29, which is scheduled to take place in Baku from November 11 to 22.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Prime Minister Pashinyan and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev <\/strong>resumed the discussions on October 24, on the sidelines of the BRICS summit in the Russian city of Kazan. Following the meeting, both<\/a> leaders<\/a> instructed their foreign ministers to continue negotiations and finalize the peace treaty \u201cin the shortest possible period.\u201d <\/p>\n\n\n\n
But the approaching U.N. climate summit has put the issue of Armenian prisoners back in the spotlight. More than 50 Armenian NGOs have issued a joint appeal<\/a> calling on COP29 participants to pressure Baku to release Armenian detainees. Opposition factions in the Armenian parliament have also moved to convene a special session<\/a> on the issue while insisting that Armenian officials should boycott COP29. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cA delegation from Armenia cannot participate in the \u2018international show\u2019 initiated by Aliyev if we still have prisoners of war and hostages in Baku,\u201d said Ishkhan Saghatelyan<\/strong>, a lawmaker from the opposition Armenia Alliance. In turn, Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan <\/strong>said that Yerevan has yet to confirm its attendance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Though some analysts have speculated that Baku may sign a peace deal or release Armenian prisoners before COP29, others remain skeptical. Armenian media reports have also suggested<\/a> that Mirzoyan may consider attending the climate summit if Baku agrees to return the detainees.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
According to Armenian National Security Service Director Armen Abazyan<\/strong>, Armenia and Azerbaijan are expected<\/a> to hold a meeting in the near future on the issue of detainees and missing persons. However, there has been no corresponding announcement from the Azerbaijani side. Azerbaijan\u2019s Foreign Ministry did not respond to The Beet\u2019s questions about Armenian prisoners held in Baku or the possible meeting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Olesya Vartanyan, a security analyst focused on the South Caucasus, said that although the touted agreement may not resolve all issues that have built up over the past three decades of conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan, it could establish a framework for continued dialogue and cooperation. \u201cI am afraid that, overall, the hope for peace process negotiations is very much in Baku\u2019s hands. It\u2019s about what Azerbaijan decides to do, and it\u2019s not only about POWs,\u201d she told The Beet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In addition to helping prevent future escalations in the region, the potential peace treaty could also open the long-closed Armenian-Turkish border<\/a>, Vartanyan added (something Ankara has repeatedly stated<\/a> as a precondition for normalizing diplomatic relations).<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Siranush Sahakyan, an international law specialist representing the Armenian detainees at the European Court of Human Rights, warned that Azerbaijan will likely continue to use Armenian captives as leverage to extract further concessions from Yerevan. \u201cWithout the political support of Armenia, this event [COP29] could not have been implemented. Armenia\u2019s support for Azerbaijan in this matter reflects a political entanglement rather than a legal resolution,\u201d Sahakyan argued.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the meantime, the prisoners\u2019 families are holding out hope for their speedy return. \u201cWe live in hope, and I pray that Azerbaijan will release them soon. I want to see my husband healthy and home again,\u201d said Linda. \u201cWe are tired, and I hope peace comes to the region so this suffering can finally end.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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