David had health issues; We haven’t been able to contact his lawyer: Exclusive interview with David Ishkhanyan’s wife
David Ishkhanyan, President of the National Assembly of Artsakh, has been unlawfully detained in Baku for about a year and a half. Ishkhanyan was arrested on Oct. 3. ABC Media spoke with his wife, Hasmik Sargsyan, about his health conditions, detention circumstances, and the ongoing trial.
– Various theories are circulating regarding David Ishkhanyan’s capture. Some say he wasn’t even on the list of individuals demanded by Azerbaijan. How did it happen that he did not leave Artsakh with his family and was arrested along with the three former presidents? What do you know?
– We too have heard only those theories. He used to assure us that his name wasn’t on the list of individuals demanded by Azerbaijan, telling us not to worry, to leave Artsakh, and that he would definitely come. We have no other information because when we reached Yerevan, we could no longer contact David; there was no connection. Our children left Stepanakert with their families on Sept. 28, and I left on Sept. 30. We had agreed that he would also leave on Oct. 3.
– How did you organize your trip from Artsakh to Yerevan? Did the family face difficulties at the Hakari checkpoint?
– Like all Artsakh residents, we left Artsakh in the same way. As members of David Ishkhanyan’s family, we did not face any specific difficulties.
– Did David Ishkhanyan have health issues in Artsakh? What health issues does he have now, and what information do you have about his detention conditions and the trial proceedings?
– Yes, he had health issues. He had problems with his spine, gallbladder, and digestive system. I can’t say what condition he is in; David doesn’t like to complain and knows we are very worried about him. When we talk, he says he is fine, that everything is okay. He also says that everything is good regarding his detention conditions. Now his lawyer has changed, but the previous one used to contact us regularly. The new lawyer hasn’t contacted us. The lawyer changed before the trial began. The previous lawyer had health issues and was unable to visit David for a long time, and we haven’t contacted the new lawyer yet.
– Azerbaijani media has reported on the plans to close down the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) office, but it is this organization that organizes communication between prisoners of war and their families, as well as the transfer of parcels and letters. Who will handle these matters after the ICRC closes?
– That news is very distressing because the Red Cross has done a big job—letters, photos, updates on health conditions—all of this was done through that organization. As for who will take care of all this after their closure, we still don’t know. This is extremely concerning for us.
– What expectations do you have from the Armenian government? They say they are silent but continue working in that direction. Is that work visible to you?
– No work is visible, but we want to believe they are working; however, we can see no results. We expect more active efforts.
Garni Mutafyan
