The condition of Armenian captives in Azerbaijan has raised concerns among their relatives.

Worrying reports are coming in about the health of Armenians held in Azerbaijani prisons, including serious injuries that may have been sustained as a result of violence, said a human rights activist. Relatives of the captives indicated that the prisoners are deprived of adequate medical care.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", on February 17, the Baku Military Court sentenced to 20 years of imprisonment the former state minister of Nagorno-Karabakh Ruben Vardanyan, whose case was considered separately. The defendant, who headed the Karabakh government for only a few months during the blockade of the Lachin corridor, was found guilty of war crimes. Vardanyan refused to file an appeal, explaining that he does not recognize the verdict as an act of justice. Other captives, whose cases were considered separately, also received long sentences. Veronika Zonabend, the wife of Ruben Vardanyan, appealed to international organizations and the authorities of Armenia to assist in visiting Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan.

The human rights activist stated the possibility of violence against the captives

13:11 25.02.2026

Vardanyan and 15 leaders of Karabakh: main points about the trials in Baku

Court proceedings took place in Baku regarding criminal cases against representatives of the former Karabakh authorities, accused of war crimes against Azerbaijan and the Azerbaijani people. Former state minister Ruben Vardanyan is being tried separately from 15 former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh.

A representative of the interests of Armenian captives in the European Court of Human Rights, Siranush Saakyan, reported worrying information about the health of Armenians held in Azerbaijani prisons, including information about serious injuries that may have been sustained as a result of violence.

Although it is currently impossible to verify this information independently, it appears to be credible.

"We have received information about individuals among the Armenian captives held in Azerbaijani prisons who have sustained serious injuries. We cannot verify this information independently, but it raises serious concerns," she said, as reported by "News Armenia".

According to her, families of the captives also report a rapid deterioration in their condition and injuries.

"In some cases, serious alarming signals are coming in, and if this information is true, it may indicate conditions incompatible with life. We have received such reports of serious injuries. We do not have the ability to verify this information independently. At this moment, we trust this information," said the human rights activist.

She noted that this includes fractures.

"We do not rule out that they may have been sustained as a result of violence. We cannot establish the causes. In several cases, it concerns the exacerbation of pre-existing health problems, but there are also cases that may indicate elements of violence or other interference," emphasized Saakyan.

Relatives confirmed the deterioration of the captives' condition

Armenians, who have been imprisoned for years without adequate medical care, are gradually losing their health, their relatives reported, who for safety reasons did not wish to disclose their names.

"He has lost a lot of weight, he is just skin and bones, and he also has no lower teeth. He doesn't tell us anything, but during the trial, it is clear that he has no lower teeth; they have been knocked out," said a relative of one of the captives.

Health problems are observed in almost all captives, stated a relative of another prisoner.

"He called and said: 'We feel bad, everyone feels bad. One complains of heart problems, another of headaches. We are completely ignored,'" said a relative of a captive.

The wife of Ludwig Mkrtchyan, who has been in an Azerbaijani prison for six years, also stated that her husband's health has sharply deteriorated in recent months.

According to relatives, some of the 19 Armenian captives have been in Azerbaijani prisons for about six years, while others for about three years. They are deprived of the opportunity to undergo comprehensive medical examinations.
Independent doctors do not have access to the captives.

Saakyan emphasized that by August 31, Azerbaijan is obliged to submit a report to the European Court of Human Rights on the conditions of detention of Armenian captives, including information about their health status. According to Saakyan, the medical documents contained in the report will be compared with the information received from relatives.

The consideration of the appeals of Armenian captives continues

On July 24, another hearing took place in the Baku Court of Appeals regarding the appeals of citizens of the Republic of Armenia - Araik Arutyunyan, Arkadi Gukasian, Bako Saakyan, David Ishkhanian, David Babayan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, and others, against whom the Baku Military Court issued a guilty verdict, reports Report,

Prosecutors supporting the state prosecution spoke in court. The next court session will take place on July 27.

* The activities of the Meta company (which owns Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp) are banned in Russia.