YEREVAN. – The case of Mamikon Khojoyan, an elderly Armenian villager who died after being abused under Azerbaijani captivity, was officially sent to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) on Thursday. Khojoyan’s three children filed the suit with support from the Foundation Against the Violation of Law (FAVL) and the European Human Rights Advocacy Centre (EHRAC).

“This is a striking example of outrageous cruelty against a helpless 77-year-old man,” said EHRAC Legal Consultant Vahe Grigoryan, who will be representing the family in the case. “We are assisting our local partner FAVL before the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg, in order to seek justice for the family of Mr. Khojoyan.”

Plaintiffs in the case plan to present evidence of Khojoyan’s torture, as well as to demonstrate the systematic pattern of abuse practiced by authorities in Baku against such innocent Armenians.

“Mr. Khojoyan was abused from the very beginning of his captivity, eventually leading to his tragic death," said FAVL’s Lawyer Kristina Gevorkyan. “We’re turning to the ECHR to hold the government of Azerbaijan accountable for this grave crime and ensure that such treatment is brought to an end.”

Khojoyan’s family is demanding prosecution of the Azerbaijani government under articles 2, 3, 5, 13, and 14 of the European Convention on Human Rights, which prohibit killing, torture, inhumane treatment, and discrimination. They are also calling for similar cases of civilians abused under Azerbaijani authority, including Arthur Badalyan and Karen Petrosyan, to be heard.

The ECHR will examine the application to establish its admissibility, after which court proceedings may begin and a binding judgment delivered.