On unlawful detention and sham trials of Armenian hostages, including high-ranking political representatives from Nagorno-Karabakh, by Azerbaijan

B100181/2025

Motion for a European Parliament resolution on unlawful detention and sham trials of Armenian hostages, including high-ranking political representatives from Nagorno-Karabakh, by Azerbaijan

(2025/2596(RSP))

The European Parliament,

- having regard to its previous resolutions on Armenia and Azerbaijan,

- having regard to Rule 150 of its Rules of Procedure,

Whereas sham military trials of 23 Armenian hostages, including high-ranking political representatives from the former self-proclaimed Nagorno-Karabakh republic and prisoners of war, is currently ongoing in Baku; whereas the prisoners are facing serious charges including terrorism that could result in life imprisonment sentences;

Whereas these politically motivated trials take place in the aftermath of the 2023 blockade and ethnic cleansing of Nagorno-Karabakh by Azerbaijan and can be considered as yet another Azerbaijani display of “victory” that is purposefully harmful to ongoing peace negotiations with Armenia;

Whereas the UN Human Rights Council reports that the accused are routinely administered psychotropic substances and tortured to alter their declarations; whereas the prisoners have been denied their basic legal rights throughout the process, including access to an attorney of their choice, an interpreter, the possibility to appeal and to receive visits from their family or be granted suspensions due to health issues; whereas the sham trials are not accessible to international observers nor independent media;

Whereas Ruben Vardanyan, former Nagorno-Karabakh leader, has started a hunger strike on 19 February 2025 to protest his trial conditions and his health is rapidly deteriorating; whereas its former president Arayik Harutyunyan’s health is also visibly degrading;

Calls on Azerbaijan to immediately and unconditionally release all Armenian political prisoners and other individuals unlawfully detained in Azerbaijan and drop unsubstantiated charges against them;

Condemns in the strongest possible terms the sham trials and systematic violations of fundamental rights of Armenian hostages and calls on Azerbaijan to fully respect the right to a fair trial in compliance with international standards; calls to ensure their immediate access to independent doctors and lawyers; expects an independent investigation into the allegations of ill-treatment of Armenian hostages while in prison;

Is deeply concerned with Azerbaijan’s order to close the Baku office of the International Committee of the Red Cross, a regular visitor of the Armenian hostages, and calls on the authorities to review their position;

Calls on the EU and Member States embassies to Azerbaijan to observe the trials and regularly visit all Armenian hostages; calls on the HR/VP, should she travel to Baku, to visit the Armenians prisoners;

Reiterates its call for EU sanctions under the EU Magnitsky Act on all Azerbaijani leaders and officials responsible for the unlawful detention and sham trials of Armenian hostages; encourages Member States to consider an ICC referral;

Reiterates its call to suspend the 2022 EU-Azerbaijan memorandum of understanding on the strategic partnership in the field of energy;

Calls for a suspension of the visa facilitation agreement with Azerbaijan and visa-free travel for holders of diplomatic passports, until all Armenian hostages are released and the overall human rights situation in the country improves;

Instructs its President to forward this resolution to the Council, Commission, HR/VP, Member States and the Azerbaijani authorities.