Document at the PACE: “Death of Armenian captive in Azerbaijan”
Today at the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe "Heritage" faction MP Zaruhi Postanjyan put into circulation a written document on the murder of Armenian shepherd Manvel Saribekyan on the part of Azerbaijan. Twenty six PACE Delegates have signed under the document, including members of the Armenian Delegation.
Written declaration
Death of an Armenian captive in Azerbaijan
On 5 October 2010 Mr. Manvel Saribekyan, citizen of Armenia died in captivity in Azerbaijan. A sheperd from a borderline village in Armenia, Mr. Manvel Saribekyan, has been captured by Azerbaijani forces at the border, while herding his livestock. Azerbaijani Ministry of Defense and the Military Prosecutor have reported that Manvel committed "suicide".
Earlier, Azerbaijan disseminated a video footage, in which signs of violence could be seen on Manvel.
PACE expresses its shock over the death of Manvel Saribekyan and strongly condemns the authorities of Azerbaijan for this tragedy. Their actions represent a blatant violation of international humanitarian law, in particular, Articles 2 and 3 of the European Convention of Human Rights, the Geneva Conventions and UN Convention for the Prevention of Torture and Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment, to which Azerbaijan is a party.
PACE urges Azerbaijan to conduct full and transparent investigation with the involvement of international experts and to bring to justice officials responsible for the death of Manvel Saribekyan.
The official version of Azerbaijan that Manvel Saribekyan committed suicide is a cynical attempt to avoid responsibility for his death, whereas Azerbaijan and its officials bear direct responsibility for the life and safety of the captive.
