Ombudsman says some Armenians taken from Artsakh without knowing destination

Armenians who remained in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) were taken to Armenia without being told where they were going and at least two people may still be left behind, Artsakh Human Rights Defender Gegham Stepanyan said.

Speaking to Panorama.am on Wednesday, Stepanyan said that according to information confirmed by relatives and multiple sources, those transferred only realized they were being taken to Armenia when they reached the Hakari Bridge, where they were handed over to the Armenian authorities.

“They were put into a vehicle and driven away. They kept asking where they were being taken, but no one answered,” Stepanyan said. “Only at the Hakari Bridge did they understand that the transfer was to Armenia.”

Armenia’s Labour and Social Affairs Minister Arsen Torosyan earlier said that 10 Armenians who had been living in Artsakh, along with one Russian national who is an Armenian citizen, had requested assistance from the Azerbaijani and Armenian authorities to move to Armenia.

Stepanyan said the group had spent the past three to four months living at the Dghyak Hotel in Stepanakert. He has not yet met with those transferred, saying it was important to give them time to recover before asking questions. Medical and psychological examinations have been arranged, with some individuals now living with relatives and others still in care centres.

Asked whether any Armenians remain in Artsakh, Stepanyan said he believes two people are still there, including a woman who was not brought out and a man identified as Misha Grigoryan, who turned back midway.

“There are different accounts,” Stepanyan said. “Some say he chose to stay, others say he feared facing hostility in Armenia because of his past statements to Azerbaijani media. I cannot say for sure, as I have not spoken with him.”