RA Ombudsman: There is no data on international wanted lists regarding Vagif Khachatryan

Vagif Khachatryan joined the military service on Sept. 1,
1992, only after which he participated in combat operations.  Before that,
he worked as an ordinary driver in Stepanakert. The RA Human Rights Defender’s
Office made a statement on this. The Ombudsman’s Office continues the
collection of information with regards to the unlawful interference with Vagif
Khachatryan’s fundamental human rights by Azerbaijan.

“The statement of the General Prosecutor’s Office of
Azerbaijan that Mr. Khachatryan allegedly “committed a crime in Meshali
village as part of a group of Armenian armed formations” on December 22,
1991, does not correspond to reality. This information is substantiated by
archival documents, orders issued by commanders, references documenting his
military service, and the testimonies of the members of his family,” reads the
statement. 

The information obtained and analyzed by the Human Rights
Defender’s Office confirmed the fact that there is no data on international
wanted lists regarding Vagif Khachatryan, who was being transferred to Armenia
for medical treatment and abducted by Azerbaijan.

The Human Rights Defender reiterates that Vagif
Khachatryan was being transported to Armenia under the auspices of the ICRC to
receive the appropriate and necessary medical assistance, and was a protected
person under international humanitarian law. Hence, the deprivation of the
liberty of the latter is a gross violation of international humanitarian law.