The European Court of Human Rights has asked Azerbaijan to provide information about two Armenian soldiers who were detained on the border with Armenia. This request comes through official channels cited by TASS, referencing the office of Armenia’s representative in international law matters.
The ECtHR indicated that if either soldier holds prisoner of war status, the court expects details about their detention conditions as well as access to a medical examination. These clarifications are part of the court’s standard oversight to verify humane treatment and compliance with applicable rules governing prisoner exchanges and wartime conduct.
The Azerbaijani side had, in December 2022, initiated a case against Armenia at the European Court of Human Rights, seeking redress and examination of the situation as it relates to individuals detained on the frontier. In this filing, the authorities outlined concerns over the treatment and status of captured personnel, aligning with the court’s broader mandate to safeguard human rights in armed conflicts.
Cengiz Askerov, who serves as Baku’s representative before the ECHR, stated that the Azerbaijani delegation presented to the court factual material regarding alleged destruction of property belonging to Azerbaijani citizens in the Lachin region. The Armenian side is viewed as potentially responsible for these damages, according to the Azerbaijani presentation to the court. The representative emphasized that the submission was made within the framework of an interstate complaint and focused on property losses linked to the conflict zone.
As explained by Azerbaijan’s ECHR counterpart, the information was dispatched to the court as part of a formal interstate action. While the official provided no specific figure on the value of destroyed property, the case underscores a broader record of contested harm and the pursuit of accountability within the European rights framework. The ongoing exchanges highlight the court’s role in examining credible allegations of violations and in requiring states to furnish evidence that clarifies responsibility and remedies for affected civilians and property owners. This dynamic operates within the procedural latitude afforded by the ECHR to adjudicate issues arising from interstate disputes and to document the conditions surrounding detentions and alleged property damage for authoritative review by the judges. [Citation: ECHR filings and Azerbaijani representation statements]