Ombudsman, ICRC regional head discuss human rights protection of Armenian villager jailed in Azerbaijan

Armenia’s Human Rights Defender (Ombudsman) Arman Tatoyan held Tuesday a working meeting with Patrick Vial, Regional Director for Europe and Central Asia of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Geneva, Switzerland, his office said.

The officials discussed, among other things, issues related to human rights protection of Karen Ghazaryan, a resident of an Armenian border village who has been sentenced to 20 years in prison in Azerbaijan.

The ombudsman also discussed the Armenian citizen’s issue with Claire Meytraud, the head of ICRC Armenia.

In Geneva, Tatoyan presented the concerns of Ghazaryan’s parents and attorney over his health condition, stressing the need to provide him with special care and treatment.

He also raised the request of Ghazaryan’s parents and attorney for providing audio or video communication with the prisoner, since currently they are only able to carry out correspondence with him. 

The Armenian human rights defender also raised the main issue – the return of Karen Ghazaryan to Armenia.

The sides agreed to continue cooperation in this and several other matters.