YEREVAN. – Head of Armenian parliament's standing committee on European integration, member of delegation to PACE Naira Zohrabyan sent a letter on the occasion of the death of Armenian captive Karen Petrosyan in Azerbaijan.

The letter is addressed to the European Parliament head Martin Schulz, the Council of Europe Secretary General Thorbjorn Jagland, PACE president Anne Brasseur and the Council of Europe Commissioner for Human Rights Nils Muiznieks.

The letter says “Karen Petrosyan who went astray and accidentally crossed Armenia-Azerbaijan border on August 7 was killed in Azerbaijan on August 8”.

“Official propaganda of Azerbaijan, a country presiding over the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe by violating numerous international conventions showed the video where Azerbaijani servicemen and General Lieutenant Rovshan Akperov, who is known for his brutality, are torturing the citizen of Armenia”, the letter reads.

It also mentions that video spread by Azerbaijani media clearly shows that Karen Petrosyan was dressed as a civilian but appeared in a military uniform while being questioned.

“This show was naturally staged for one purpose to create an impression that Karen Petrosyan was allegedly an Armenian saboteur. However, ridiculous allegations were dismissed by Azerbaijani service of RFE/RL where the video with participation of residents of the Azerbaijani border village suggests the captive was dressed as a civilian and asked for tea, therefore he could not be a saboteur,” Naira Zohrabyan said.

The MP recalls that Azerbaijan is a country holding presidency of the Council of Europe for six months and a country that has ratified the Geneva Convention, but at the same time is openly and blatantly breaching the norms of international law. 

“Azerbaijani authorities are obviously bearing full responsibility for the death of Karen Petrosyan. If we want not to lose faith in justice, those guilty of inhumane acts should be held accountable,” she said.

Naira Zohrabyan noted that she expects to see response and clear assessment of the incident and is hopeful that it will be discussed in the European Parliament and PACE.

The lawmaker attached the videos released by Azerbaijani servicemen where they are torturing an Armenian captive and a video shot by RFE/RL Azerbaijani service.