Recent interviews conducted by LIBERTAS with former hostages reveal numerous psychological, material, and reintegration challenges, highlighting the urgent need for state protection through the granting of a war victim status, which does not currently exist. These testimonies illustrate the lives of former hostages after captivity and complement the findings of a psychosocial survey* conducted by INTRA** among a sample of released hostages. From left to right (unblurred): Hilda Tchoboian (LIBERTAS), Sofik (ARPI), Khatchatour Gasparian (INTRA), Tatevik (ARPI) At the time of their capture by the enemy, several former hostages were serving in the army under temporary contracts, while others were performing their compulsory military service. Upon their release, they were placed under medical supervision for two days and subsequently underwent lengthy questioning by state security services. For reasons of its own, the military did not wish to reinstate them. Afterwards, they were returned to their families without any medical, psychological, or social support. "All of these men endured various forms of disabling violence during their captivity, making it necessary for their psychosocial problems to be addressed by a dedicated institution," stated Hilda Tchoboian, Coordinator of LIBERTAS. LIBERTAS established a psychological support program implemented by psychologists from the INTRA Mental Health Centre and the ARPI NGO,*** providing treatment for post-traumatic stress disorders through individual, family, and group sessions. Interviewed after completing this programme, the former prisoners spoke of their sense of abandonment by the Armenian state and society: since their release, no state authority has inquired about their situation. The survey shows that many of them, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, face serious material survival difficulties, which further undermine their psychological well-being and aggravate their social marginalisation. "The State must intervene to freeze bank loans contracted before their capture by the enemy. Instead, the law allows banks to deduct 30% of their meagre salaries, for those fortunate enough to have employment. The unemployed, meanwhile, face legal proceedings for unpaid debts accumulated during their captivity. The lack of income can lead, in some cases, to alcoholism, and in others to involuntary celibacy or family disruption," explained Hilda Tchoboian. In October 2026, a conference will be held in Yerevan, bringing together experts and national and international institutions to develop and propose an appropriate national policy addressing the problems faced by Armenian hostages. __ LIBERTAS works for the release of Armenian state hostages and the rehabilitation of released prisoners. *Extract from the INTRA report presenting the results of a survey conducted in 2025 among 39 former Armenian prisoners of war regarding their psychosocial situation, current needs, and areas in which they could benefit from support. Approximately half of the respondents reported psychological problems, and a similar proportion reported social difficulties. "The survey results indicate that the difficulties encountered by prisoners of war and former prisoners of war who were captured and subsequently returned, as well as by their family members as a result of the war, can be classified as follows: Financial and economic difficulties (for example, loan obligations, some of which were contracted before captivity and others incurred because of an inability to work due to health reasons, childcare responsibilities, or other causes). Furthermore, under the current Armenian legislation, persons repatriated after captivity are not covered by health insurance and do not enjoy all the benefits granted to participants in hostilities. Health-related problems, a significant part of which are linked to the conditions of captivity and illnesses acquired as a result of physical violence during captivity. Secondary health issues related to various illnesses affecting family members, particularly parents, children, and other first-degree relatives. Various psychosocial difficulties related to adaptation, stigma and stigmatisation, and the new challenges arising from the above. This component also includes issues concerning integration into the social environment and self-expression after returning from captivity. Despite certain positive developments in terms of adaptation, the absence or limited availability of support prevents their full integration into their communities. The report highlights the need for continuous and coordinated psychosocial support, as well as social and economic stabilisation programmes, in order to ensure the long-term well-being and stability of this group." **INTRA, the Seda Ghazarian Foundation for Mental Health in Yerevan, is LIBERTAS's partner in implementing its psychosocial support programme for former prisoners of war in Armenia. Directed by Khachatur Gasparyan, INTRA is also supported by the ICRC Delegation in Armenia. Its experts additionally cooperate with the French NGO Santé Arménie and the Vinatier Psychiatric Hospital in Lyon, France. ***ARPI is an Armenian NGO. ARPI's social workers and psychologists work on the ground to provide psychosocial support to former prisoners of war in partnership with INTRA as part of the LIBERTAS programme. At the time of its establishment, ARPI assisted children and women affected by the 1988 earthquake and today notably cooperates with the Aznavour Foundation.

Since the ethnic cleansing of September 2023, 19 Armenians, including 8 former leaders of the Republic of Artsakh, have been held in prison in Baku without the right to receive visitors. They have not seen their loved ones for more than three years. In light of this situation, Veronika Zonabend, wife of Ruben Vardanyan—an Armenian businessman, philanthropist, and former prime minister of Nagorno-Karabakh—is launching a humanitarian initiative. The initiative aims to form an international humanitarian delegation composed exclusively of women, which will travel to Baku to express solidarity with Armenian prisoners and deliver letters of support, photographs, and messages from their loved ones. The Association for the Support of Artsakh fully endorses this effort and calls on all French female politicians, elected officials, community leaders, intellectuals, artists, and all women who are friends of Armenia and Artsakh to show their support for this humanitarian initiative. There are two ways you can participate: ❤️ 1) Simply write “I support” in the comments on this Instagram post: https://www.instagram.com/p/DZqMRkLoQAj/?igsh=MTczZ2JkOTFseW1yZA== ✉️ or 2) by sending a message of support via email (or mail) to the Artsakh Support Association : secretariat@soutien-artsakh.eu who will be responsible for passing this on to the organizers of this mission. We're counting on you to spread the word about this initiative to those around you! #FreeArmenianHostages #Artsakh #Arménie #DroitsHumains #FemmesPourLaPaix #HumanRights

LIBERTAS* deeply regrets to announce the death of former Armenian prisoner of war Karlen Stepanyan, who passed away from cancer on 10 June. Together with its Armenian partners, the ARPI** NGO of Vanadzor and the Seda Ghazarian Mental Health Centre (INTRA***) in Yerevan, LIBERTAS mourns his loss after a long and difficult battle with illness. He was 52 years old. After being taken captive, he was abandoned by his wife. Ill and without resources, he survived for a time thanks to the modest pension of his sick mother. Following her death last winter, after being alerted by ARPI to his dire health and housing conditions, LIBERTAS mobilized its resources to come to his aid. For LIBERTAS, this death once again highlights the inhumane situation faced by former hostages and prisoners of war after their release, due to the absence of an official status that would guarantee support and care for the serious difficulties they experience upon returning from captivity. In January of this year, the Armenian Parliament rightly adopted legislation granting a special status to persons who went missing following Azerbaijan’s aggression in 2020. However, to this day, the humiliations, physical torture, and psychological abuse suffered by Armenian military personnel and civilians who were held captive in Azerbaijan are not recognized as injuries resulting from their service in the defense of the country and therefore do not benefit from the support and compensation they deserve. LIBERTAS has conducted a comparative study examining the treatment of hostages and their families in a number of countries, both democratic and non-democratic. The study highlights the existence of support mechanisms addressing the main consequences of captivity, including necessary physical and psychological care, housing assistance, professional and social reintegration measures, and support for their children. Today, such a comprehensive approach is lacking in Armenia, where former captives often appear to be left to face these challenges alone after their release. LIBERTAS believes that this situation must change. To this end, the organization is committed to holding an international conference in Yerevan next October, bringing together legal experts, non-governmental organizations, and specialists in post-traumatic care in order to draw the attention of Armenian society and political decision-makers to this critical issue. For further information about the conference, please contact: contact@libertas.com *LIBERTAS works for the release of Armenian state hostages and for the rehabilitation and reintegration of released prisoners. **ARPI is an Armenian non-governmental organization. Its social workers and psychologists provide psychological and social support to former prisoners of war on the ground, in cooperation with INTRA, within the framework of LIBERTAS’s program. Initially established to assist women and children affected by the 1988 earthquake, ARPI now also cooperates with the Aznavour Foundation. ***INTRA (Seda Ghazarian Mental Health Foundation, Yerevan) is LIBERTAS’s partner in implementing psychological and social support programmes for former prisoners of war in Armenia. Under the direction of Khachatur Gasparyan, INTRA also cooperates with the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Delegation in Armenia, as well as with Santé Arménie and the Vinatier Psychiatric Hospital in Lyon, France. Follow LIBERTAS: Instagram : https://www.instagram.com/libertas2020_ X (Twitter) : https://twitter.com/FreeArmenianPOW LinkedIn : https://www.linkedin.com/company/libertas2020/ Telegram : https://t.me/LIBERTAS_2020 Site web : https://www.libertas2020.com/

In February 2026, at the Munich Security Conference, President Ilham Aliyev compared the Armenian detainees on trial in Baku to the Nazi criminals prosecuted at the Nuremberg trials. Such a comparison raises profound legal, historical, and moral concerns, all of which are outlined in a recent report* by the International and Comparative Law Center, thereby undermining Baku’s attempt to appropriate one of the major historical symbols of international criminal justice in an effort to criminalize Armenian victims**. The Nuremberg Trials were based on fundamental principles of international law: transparency, judicial independence, the presumption of innocence, and the effective right to a defense. However, several aspects of the proceedings currently underway in Baku raise serious concerns regarding respect for these fundamental guarantees. Unlike the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg, which was composed of international judges representing several states, the proceedings in Baku are taking place before a national military court of a state that is a direct party to the conflict. Concerns have also been raised regarding the limited access of independent observers, international media, and diplomatic representatives to the hearings. Respect for the presumption of innocence is another essential principle. However, several official statements have portrayed the defendants as guilty even before a final judgment has been handed down. Furthermore, the prosecutions against former officials from Nagorno-Karabakh raise questions regarding the risk of retroactive criminalization of political functions exercised in the context of a conflict that has been the subject of international negotiations for nearly thirty years under the auspices of the OSCE Minsk Group. Moreover, this travesty of the “Nuremberg trials” in Baku seems all the more inappropriate to LIBERTAS given that, at the same time, several cases in Europe are raising serious concerns regarding the methods allegedly used by the Azerbaijani government against its opponents. Since 2021, four Azerbaijani political opponents who had sought refuge in Europe have been murdered in France, Belgium, Turkey, and Georgia, and the case currently being tried in Rennes***—concerning the assault on an Azerbaijani blogger who had sought refuge in France—highlights the links between certain criminal networks and interests close to the Baku regime. Mahammad Mirzali, the refugee blogger who was persecuted even after fleeing to France, was stabbed 16 times there*** / Show trials in Baku against Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh The Nuremberg Principles were established to protect peoples from ethnic persecution, racial discrimination, and massive human rights violations. Exploiting this historical reference in a context marked by the forced displacement of more than 100,000 Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh raises serious concerns under international law and human rights law. LIBERTAS reiterates that all judicial proceedings must comply with international standards regarding fair trial, judicial independence, and the protection of fundamental rights. Historical analogies cannot be used to legitimize proceedings that raise significant legal and international concerns. The European Parliament, through its numerous resolutions calling for the release of Armenian state hostages****, is not fooled by the Baku regime’s glaring moral contradictions, and LIBERTAS once again calls on Kaja Kallas and the European Commission to follow these just resolutions, thereby demonstrating firmness toward a regime that no longer hesitates to hunt down its opponents on European soil. *https://drive.google.com/file/d/1HLzqWSql9xPCgSQjs01MwePyeZkEJFtU/view *https://www.instagram.com/p/DYpZnvcCMbU/ **Reminder: 20 Armenian state hostages are still languishing in Baku’s prisons ***https://france3-regions. franceinfo.fr/pays-de-la-loire/loire-atlantique/nantes/some-of-the-defendants-belong-to-the-vor-mafia-group-at-the-rennes-criminal-court-the-refugee-blogger-his-attackers-and-the-shadow-of-power-in-azerbaijan -3353950.html?fbclid=IwVERTSAR -59JleHRuA2FlbQIxMABzcnRjBmFwcF9pZAwzNTA2ODU1MzE3MjgAAR51N7VLrNbC9l71ssWTYw0JGxUYxScjA3RfhqGuPsl4sOcLxgA5ZSHBF82dig_aem_ jnt03dAPSOSDKmJVzExsQQ&sfnsn=scwspwa ****https://www.libertas2020.com/post/aliyev-insulte-le-parlement-europ%C3%A9en-silence-de-la-cpe-la-commission-d%C3%A9tourne-le-regard-liberta __ LIBERTAS is working for the release of Armenian state hostages and the rehabilitation of released prisoners․

The ICJ* report dated May 16, 2026, exposes the Azerbaijani judicial system as one characterized by control over lawyers, through the exclusion of those perceived as human rights defenders and other forms of reprisals, restrictions on the right to a defense, political pressure, and allegations of torture and ill-treatment. Regarding these structural weaknesses, the ICJ also deplores the lack of substantial progress despite the recommendations made by itself and other international organizations since 2016. An examination of these shortcomings is damning in light of the 2025 trials of former officials from Nagorno-Karabakh, all of whom were sentenced to very harsh penalties**: “civilians tried before a military court,” “defendants denied effective access to a lawyer of their choice,” “case files withheld or provided in a language the defendants did not understand,” “defense motions rejected without justification and omitted from the court record,” “insufficient or nonexistent interpretation,” “public access, including that of accredited diplomatic representatives, denied,” “proceedings that failed to respect the guarantees of fairness and equality of arms required by international human rights law.” The report also highlights that Armenian prisoners were allegedly subjected to cruel, inhuman, and degrading treatment, including sleep and water deprivation, as well as other abusive practices during their detention. LIBERTAS welcomes this ICJ report and, together with the ICJ, calls on governments and international actors—in particular the European Commission—not to turn a blind eye to the plight of the Armenian hostages and stresses the need for independent international monitoring of judicial proceedings in Azerbaijan. LIBERTAS reiterates that respect for the right to a fair trial, the physical and psychological integrity of detainees, and their dignity constitutes a fundamental obligation under international law that cannot be ignored or downplayed for political reasons. In light of the alarming reports regarding the trials of Armenian prisoners in Baku, international attention and action remain essential to ensure respect for the fundamental principles of justice and human dignity. *https://www.icj.org/azerbaijan-independence-of-lawyers-and-fair-trial-rights-compromised-new-icj-report/ **These trials follow the nine-month blockade of Nagorno-Karabakh and the forced displacement of more than 120,000 Armenians from Artsakh in the wake of the September 2023 military offensive. __ LIBERTAS is working for the release of the 20 Armenian state hostages and the rehabilitation of the released prisoners․

Davit Babayan issued a statement* from his prison cell in Baku, published on May 14, denouncing serious violations of his fundamental rights as well as those of other Armenian prisoners held in Baku. The former Foreign Minister of Nagorno-Karabakh asserts that the proceedings against them do not comply with international standards or the fundamental guarantees of the right to a fair trial. He also states that his appeal against his conviction was not forwarded to the competent courts, thereby compromising his access to international justice. Babayan also cites several irregularities and inconsistencies that occurred during the trial, including the disappearance of documents addressed to the appeals court, the confiscation of his closing statement, and contradictory and manifestly absurd testimonies presented in court. According to him, these elements demonstrate the political and arbitrary nature of the proceedings against the Armenian prisoners. These statements, which add to the many concerns already expressed, raise serious concerns regarding respect for human rights and fundamental judicial guarantees for the Armenian prisoners still detained in Azerbaijan. LIBERTAS urges the European Commission to demand that Azerbaijan immediately and unconditionally release the Armenian prisoners detained in Baku, under threat of sanctions, based on several European Parliament resolutions condemning the show trials staged against Armenians, the testimony of Davit Babayan, and reports by independent legal experts. LIBERTAS reiterates that every detained person has the right to an independent and impartial trial, to an effective remedy, and to respect for their human dignity in accordance with international law. *https://asbarez.com/help-us-jailed-artsakh-leader-sounds-alarm-on-rights-violations/ *https://mirrorspectator.com/2026/05/19/another-ex-karabakh-leader-protests-from-azeri-jail/ __ LIBERTAS is working for the release of Armenian state hostages and the rehabilitation of released prisoners․

European Parliament: 14 resolutions shelved by the European Commission On May 4, during the European Political Community Summit in Yerevan, in a highly inflammatory speech*, President Aliyev accused the European Parliament of adopting 14 resolutions “filled with insults and lies about Azerbaijan.” He portrayed the latest resolution**, dated April 30, as a “provocation” aimed at “dragging the region into war.” In this case, these “insults, lies, and provocations” refer to the European Parliament’s legitimate demands for the release of Armenian prisoners, the right to a safe return for residents expelled from Artsakh, and holding those responsible for the destruction of Armenian cultural and religious heritage accountable—all accompanied by the establishment of an international assessment mission. Aliyev continued his offensive by announcing the Azerbaijani Parliament’s suspension of all cooperation with the European Parliament, as well as its withdrawal from the Euronest Parliamentary Assembly. The brutality of his remarks prompted a strong reaction from European Parliament President Roberta Metsola***, who reminded the dictator of the democratic nature of the European Parliament, whose positions Europeans are determined to defend unwaveringly. Roberta Metsola and Ilham Aliyev LIBERTAS deplores the fact that the President of the European Parliament was the only one in the entire audience to respond to this verbal aggression by the despot of Baku. Could this be out of fear of offending Ilham Aliyev so as not to jeopardize her privileged relationship with the President of the European Commission, Ursula von der Leyen, who had described him as a “reliable partner” of Europe in the aftermath of the war crimes he committed in 2020—a veritable prelude to the ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh in 2023? LIBERTAS notes a parallel between this silence in the face of the vilification of the supreme democratic institution representing the peoples of the EU and the European executive’s disregard for the 14 parliamentary resolutions concerning ethnic cleansing, the right of Armenians to return to their lands, and the necessary release of the 20 Armenian prisoners sentenced to harsh terms following sham trials, all marred by violations of the fundamental rights of these state hostages. To date, by refusing to fulfill its obligations, the Commission is siding with an autocrat who, with complete impunity, rejects the EU’s democratic operating principles. LIBERTAS commends the exemplary commitment of the European Parliament and calls on the executive branch to implement the resolutions of the European democratic body in its dealings with Azerbaijan. Without this adjustment, Europeans would fail to understand that, unlike in the conflict in Ukraine, commercial interests take precedence over democracy and justice in the case of Azerbaijan. To this day, they do not understand the European Commission’s refusal to impose sanctions on a genocidal leader, and even less so its silence in the face of the humiliation suffered and the undermining of the European democratic system by a despot. LIBERTAS is working for the release of Armenian state hostages and the rehabilitation of freed prisoners. PDF version of this LIBERTAS press release: https://cba5a4cc-f0e0-4fc4-8ca4-28ca80f25e0f.usrfiles.com/ugd/cba5a4_b2934584078c4e22ab6d169402b1a75f.pdf Follow LIBERTAS: Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/libertas2020_ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/FreeArmenianPOW LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/libertas2020/ Telegram: https://t.me/LIBERTAS_2020 Website: https://www.libertas2020.com/ *https://fr.euronews.com/my-europe/2026/05/04/en-armenie-le-president-azerbaidjanais-regle-ses-comptes-avec-lue **European Parliament resolution of April 30, 2026 in English: https://www.europarl.europa.eu/doceo/document/RC-10-2026-0195_EN.html ***Roberta Metsola’s response to Aliyev, watch the video: https://youtu.be/I63AYgQME0w?si=YN4bkZyJDcFePRQI

The Atlantic Council published an op-ed on May 10, 2026*, calling on the U.S. to reach a comprehensive political agreement with Azerbaijan. According to this proposal, Washington should permanently lift the restrictions set forth in Section 907 of the FREEDOM Support Act, while Azerbaijan would proceed with the release of several detainees, including Azerbaijani political prisoners and certain Armenian detainees. The authors present this initiative as an opportunity to strengthen strategic relations between the United States and Azerbaijan while contributing to the peace process in the South Caucasus. President Donald Trump greets President Ilham Aliyev of Azerbaijan at the West Wing lobby on August 8, 2025. (Daniel Torok/White House/ZUMA Press Wire via Reuters Connect) LIBERTAS takes note of this plan and reaffirms that the protection of human rights must not be subordinated to geopolitical considerations or strategic negotiations between states. While any initiative likely to lead to the release of arbitrarily detained persons should be welcomed, it is important to recall that the freedom, dignity, and fundamental rights of individuals are not a diplomatic bargaining chip. In this case, according to this plan, not only would Azerbaijan not be sanctioned for the ethnic cleansing of Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh that it carried out in 2023, but it would also become a respected partner of the U.S. through the lifting of a sanction imposed in 1992 specifically because of its treatment of Armenians; furthermore, Baku’s cynicism would be reinforced by securing a political advantage in exchange for the Armenian state hostages—exactly what it had hoped to achieve by taking them in the first place. The release of political prisoners and of Armenians detained in Baku must result from compliance with international human rights obligations and not from a political transaction. LIBERTAS, which can only welcome the release of the Armenian state hostages, expresses its concern regarding any approach that risks turning people deprived of their liberty into bargaining chips, and reiterates that a lasting and just peace in the South Caucasus can only be achieved through respect for international law, the effective protection of human rights, and the fight against impunity. LIBERTAS further points out that, in the face of a dictatorship that violates international law—and given that history has amply shown that appeasement is a dead end—it would instead recommend a firm stance by the U.S. and other democracies: · by strengthening sanctions against Azerbaijan rather than lifting the last remaining ones. · by investing more in Azerbaijan’s civil society to advance democracy, human rights, and the rule of law there. LIBERTAS therefore calls on international actors to place justice, human dignity, and fundamental rights at the center of their diplomatic initiatives and peace efforts. *https://www.atlanticcouncil.org/dispatches/now-is-the-time-for-a-us-grand-deal-with-azerbaijan/ __ LIBERTAS is working for the release of Armenian state hostages and the rehabilitation of released prisoners․

FREE ARMENIAN HOSTAGES! LIBERTAS’ APPEAL TO THE EUROPEAN POLITICAL COMMUNITY For the release of the 20 Armenian hostages, For the right of return for Armenians expelled from Artsakh Ladies and Gentlemen, Heads of State*, as you gather in Armenia to address the theme of Unity and Stability in Europe, the Armenian people welcoming you to their capital feel threatened by the warmongering policy of neighboring Azerbaijan, manifested in creeping aggression and a constant denial of their rights and sovereignty. This policy includes, in particular, systemic anti-Armenian racism generated by the highest echelons of the state, irredentist schemes coveting Armenian lands as part of a fantasized “Western Azerbaijan,” and the criminalization of Armenians wherever they may be in the world. Baku is holding 20 Armenian state hostages in its prisons, deprived of humanitarian assistance since the ICRC was expelled from Azerbaijan in 2025: civilians, military personnel, and political leaders who, following sham trials worthy of the Stalinist regime, have been sentenced to harsh terms ranging up to life imprisonment. Some are seriously ill and require medical care that has been denied to them to this day. Azerbaijan is threatening Armenia with an extension of its policy of extermination carried out in Nagorno-Karabakh, which resulted in the complete ethnic cleansing of its Armenian population in 2023, followed by the destruction of its millennia-old cultural and religious heritage through bombings that continue to this day. During this summit, you will address issues of European security and the tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan. We are convinced that Europe will not be secure if it remains silent about these crimes on its border. Gathered in Armenia, you cannot in good conscience ignore these violations of the rights and dignity of the people who are hosting you. Resolutions by the European Parliament and EU member states have repeatedly called for the release of Armenian state hostages and for the affirmation of the right of return, backed by international guarantees, for the indigenous Armenian inhabitants of Nagorno-Karabakh, who are victims of ethnic cleansing. However, these resolutions have gone unheeded, and these crimes have not featured prominently in European policy toward Azerbaijan, despite the country’s guilt for war crimes and crimes against humanity. On the occasion of this summit, which we welcome, we call on you to make these resolutions binding. Demand that Azerbaijan release the Armenian hostages as a preliminary gesture of its willingness to make peace with Armenia, under threat of sanctions. Baku has been violating international law with impunity for far too many years! Hilda Tchoboian – Coordinator of LIBERTAS www.libertas2020.com / Contact: Tel: +33652955628 Contact@libertas2020.com LIBERTAS works for the release of Armenian state hostages and the rehabilitation of released prisoners *List of the 48 countries whose heads of state or government were invited to the eighth summit of the European Political Community: the 27 EU member states Albania, Andorra, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Canada, Georgia, Iceland, Kosovo, Liechtenstein, Moldova, Monaco, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Norway, San Marino, Serbia, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine, United Kingdom **This appeal in PDF format (English): https://cba5a4cc-f0e0-4fc4-8ca4-28ca80f25e0f.usrfiles.com/ugd/cba5a4_b2934584078c4e22ab6d169402b1a75f.pdf

Arrested during the full occupation of Artsakh in September 2023, Madat Babayan, a 74 year old farmer from the village of Getavan (Martakert region), was sentenced on 5 February 2026 by a Baku military court to 19 years in prison for “crimes against humanity”, based on “confessions” extracted under duress and ill treatment. His son Armen testifies* : “For a year he has been complaining of a lump in his throat; it prevents him from breathing normally and eating”. “Since the expulsion of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) from Azerbaijan in June 2025, no independent monitoring of the detention conditions and health of the 20 Armenian hostages has been possible,” denounces LIBERTAS. Their secret transfer, without notifying the families, from the National Security Service detention centre to a penitentiary facility under the Ministry of Justice – probably Umbaki prison – is problematic: families like Madat Babayan’s have no independent assistance to help their loved ones or to ensure they receive appropriate medical care. LIBERTAS once again condemns Azerbaijan’s expulsion of the ICRC and urgently demands: • Immediate and unconditional access for the ICRC, or failing that, a joint delegation of the Council of Europe and the European Parliament to the places of detention of Armenian state hostages, • Appropriate medical care for all prisoners weakened by isolation and the lack of basic hygiene conditions, • The immediate and unconditional release of Madat Babayan and the other 19 Armenian hostages. LIBERTAS supports Armen Babayan’s request to visit his suffering father. Let us not allow Madat Babayan to die in Baku’s prisons amid the general indifference surrounding the fate of Armenian hostages. __ LIBERTAS works for the release of Armenian state hostages and the rehabilitation of released prisoners. *https://www.azatutyun.am/.../ardyok.../33740999.html *https://www.azatutyun.am/a/33670360.html

In an interview*, the Member of the European Parliament, on April 14, 2026, spoke in favor of joint pressure by the EU and Armenian authorities on Azerbaijan, demanding the release of Armenian state hostages: • Armenian prisoners-hostages “The terms for the prisoners’ release are not clearly defined, but it is necessary to act as quickly as possible. The EU must use its influence on Azerbaijan. Coordination with the Armenian government is needed to jointly strengthen this pressure with a view to the prisoners’ release.”   • Ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Artsakh “Their suffering must not be forgotten. In the future, conditions must be guaranteed so that those who wish to do so can return home in safety and dignity, without being subjected to unacceptable conditions. The EU must play a role in engaging with the Azerbaijani side to find solutions in accordance with international law.”   • Destruction of cultural and religious heritage “The heritage of Nagorno-Karabakh is part of our shared Christian and European heritage and must be protected from any damage. The European Union should intensify its efforts to ensure the preservation of this heritage.”   LIBERTAS joins Ms. LEXMANN in calling on the European Commission to take action. LIBERTAS finds it regrettable that, to date, Kaja Kallas, the EU’s High Representative for Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, has remained unacceptably silent on these crimes. It reminds us that amid the general chaos in the world, where international law is trampled upon daily, the EU must distinguish itself from dictatorial regimes by reestablishing its founding principles in its relations with Azerbaijan, a member of the Eastern Partnership. Time does not erase crimes, and Europe must act. LIBERTAS is working for the release of Armenian state hostages and the rehabilitation of released prisoners   *https://armenpress.am/en/article/1247223   Follow LIBERTAS : Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/libertas2020_ X (Twitter): https://twitter.com/FreeArmenianPOW LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/libertas2020/ Telegram: https://t.me/LIBERTAS_2020 Web site: https://www.libertas2020.com/

LIBERTAS welcomes the question posed to the French Minister of Foreign Affairs by Representative Christelle d’Intorni regarding the Armenian hostages and thanks her for her commitment. The MP for Alpes-Maritimes submitted a written question* to the Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs on April 14 regarding the situation of Armenian state hostages detained in Azerbaijan, in which she highlights: the arrest of Armenian political, military, and civilian officials following the events of September 2023 humanitarian and international concerns the need to ensure respect for international humanitarian law , access to legal assistance, and independent monitoring mechanisms. Libertas reminds that Azerbaijan has been holding 20 Armenian hostages since 2020. The 20th is Karen Avanesyan, a sick man who remained in Stepanakert after the ethnic cleansing of Armenians in 2023 and was arrested in September 2025 on absurd pretexts. He must not be forgotten. LIBERTAS calls on the French government: To officially support the appeal by 36 Members of the European Parliament to Kaja Kallas for targeted sanctions against those responsible for arbitrary detentions in Azerbaijan To demand that the Azerbaijani authorities allow the ICRC to return to Baku without delay To work toward the immediate release of the 20 Armenian hostages, as well as the notification of verdicts in a language understood by each detainee To ensure that fundamental rights and international humanitarian law are respected Time does not erase crimes. France must stand up for human rights and the rule of law. *Link to Written Question No. 14330 (in French) ։ https://www.assemblee-nationale.fr/dyn/17/questions/QANR5L17QE14330.pdf