"Together" movement appealing to  OSCE MG Co-Chairs to pay attention  to the trial of Artsakh military- political leadership in Baku

ArmInfo.The alternative socio-political movement "Together " has sent  an open letter to the presidents of the OSCE Minsk Group co-chair countries - Russia, the USA and France requesting their attention to the trial of the  military-political leadership of the Republic of Artsakh  in Baku. 

The statement received by ArmInfo, expresses gratitude to the leaders  of Russia, the United States, and France for their long-standing  efforts as heads of state of the OSCE Minsk Group Co- Chairs in  resolving the Nagorno-Karabakh/Artsakh problem and their role in the   peaceful military-political and humanitarian settlement of the  Armenian-Azerbaijani conflict.

"Our message to you, the heads of states of the OSCE Minsk Group  Co-Chairs, is driven by legitimate concerns regarding the fate of the  150,000 indigenous Armenian population of the unrecognized Republic  of Artsakh. They were forcibly displaced by Azerbaijan,  with the  threat genocide looming over them.  We firmly believe that in order  to uphold the rights and seek justice for the Armenians and  representatives of other nations living in Artsakh, it is necessary  to resume the activities of the OSCE Minsk Group Co- Chairs," the  "Together" movement stated.  It is further emphasized that regardless  of the stance of the Armenian authorities, the fate of hundreds of  thousands of people who have been expelled from their homeland is a  matter of concern.

"Moreover, as Russian President Vladimir Putin rightly put it, it is  essential to have active control over the spiritual heritage of  Armenians, monuments, material and natural resources of Artsakh.  Without international guarantees for forcibly displaced persons,  there is no alternative to ensuring their safe return home.  As an  indisputable argument, we draw your attention to the "trial" of the  military-political leadership of the Republic of Artsakh, including  Ruben Vardanyan and other Armenian captives,  currently taking place  in Baku. Absurd charges of separatism, terrorism and war crimes have  been brought against 23 Armenian hostages. Despite international laws  prohibiting torture, cruel treatment and discrimination, Armenian  prisoners of war are being subjected to torture in Baku prisons," the  statement says.

The movement added that recent photographs of Ruben Vardanyan from  the courtroom, showing obvious signs of torture on his face, are  direct evidence of the illegal actions of the Aliyev regime.  "We  appeal to you with the hope of resuming negotiations in the OSCE  Minsk Group format for the immediate release of 23 Armenians  illegally detained in Baku, the protection of the legitimate  interests of the people of Artsakh and the continuation of the  interrupted legal process of peaceful settlement for the  Nagorno-Karabakh conflict," the movement said in a statement.