Mamikon Khojoyan's family brings the case before ECtHR
The children of Mamikon Khojoyan, the 77-year old Armenian who passed away after being abused in Azerbaijani captivity, have taken their father’s case to the European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR). The appeal was prepared with the support of the Foundation Against the Violation of Law Foundation (FAVL) and European Human Rights Advocacy Centre (EHRAC). “Ths is a striking example of cruelty and violence against a helpless man,” said Vahe Grigoryan, a legal consultant at the EHRAC. “While in captivity, Khojayan was subjected to severe ill-treatment, which led to his death," said Kristina Gevorkyan, a lawyer at the FAVL. “We are appealing to the ECtHR requesting the highest court to make Azerbaijan accountable for this grave crime.” The lawyers have attached the necessary evidence to the letter. On January 28, 77-year-old Armenian citizen Mamikon Khojayan was taken captive by Azerbaijani authorities after accidentally crossing the border near his northern Armenian home. He was returned to Armenia a month later where multiple examinations found traces of psychotropic substances injected in him, ultimately causing his death on May 20. Khojoyan’s daughters agreed to pursue their father’s case in the ECHR, handing over power of attorney to FAVL’s Gevorkyan. The family demands that the ECtHR start criminal persecution against Azerbaijan under Articles 2, 3, 5, 13 and 14, which prohibit murder, torture, inhuman treatment and discrimination.
