PLAY ANY TRICK TO BE BACK TO ARMENIA

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02:43 pm | March 20, 2009

Official

The RoA Defence Ministry today issued a statement which says in part:
"Armenian soldiers undergo psychical and moral repression, violation
and harassment by Azerbaijani special services who aim to extort
false statements from Armenian captives.

Azerbaijani officials’ treatment towards Armenian captives is a
rough breach of international rights, namely a violation of Geneva
Conventions.

Meanwhile, the Armenian side has always given Azerbaijani war prisoners
a chance to contact their relatives, have medical assistance and
exercise other rights.

Contrary to this, the Azeri side has not given any information, even
through the Red Cross International Committee, about an Armenian
military captive, Paruyr Simonyan. Moreover, P. Simonyan has been
deprived of his rights, which is a rough breach of the aforesaid
conventions.

According to our verified sources, Azerbaijani captives returned to
Azerbaijan by Armenia in conformity with the international norms,
are also subject to torture: as a rule, they are exposed to criminal
prosecution and sentenced to long years of prison.

The Ministry of Defence reconfirms its devotion to the international
norms and calls the attention of international community and
structures, especially the UNO and RCIC, to the fact that Azerbaijan
uses war prisoners for home and foreign propaganda, demanding to put
an end to this inhumane state activity.

"We also remind that all Armenian servicemen, including captives,
are under the auspices of the Ministry, and we shall take every effort
free them."

In the statement the Ministry of Defence also turns to the Armenian
captives in Azerbaijan: "Soldiers, we fully understand the inhumane
and desperate situation you have appeared in Azerbaijan. We know
that Azerbaijani special services are capable of taking cruel and
mean steps.

Yes, you breached the disciplinary norms of the military service
and, appeared in the enemy’s territory. But you are the sons of your
Motherland, and even bearing responsibility for your mistakes is a
characteristic quality of an Armenian man and soldier. In order to
save your life you can play any possible trick on the enemy and find
your way to the Homeland.

Remember, that your Motherland is looking forward to your return.

This is the call of your Homeland," says the statement.