Azerbaijan seeks to expel ICRC amid sham trials of Armenian prisoners

Amid the ongoing show trials of Armenian prisoners in Baku, along with reports of psychological and physical abuse against them, Azerbaijan is now seeking to expel the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) from the country, Armenian opposition MP Tigran Abrahamyan warns.

"As it's the case with various NGOs, international organizations and media outlets, Azerbaijan first launches a propaganda campaign against them, accusing them of espionage or other offenses before moving to expel them. With no serious international pressure being exerted, Azerbaijan is gradually shifting from authoritarianism to totalitarianism," Abrahamyan wrote on Facebook on Monday.

"One day, a media outlet is shut down; another day, people are arrested for exercising free speech. Azerbaijan systematically eliminates all media outlets and organizations documenting the country’s rapid democratic decline and escalating violence.

"For us, the issue is even more pressing, as the ICRC serves as a crucial link for maintaining contact with Armenian prisoners in Baku. Not to mention that the Red Cross provides the only independent and visual assessment of their condition," he emphasized.