The trials of Armenians arrested and held in Baku are illegal and sham, Armenia’s representative on international legal matters Yeghishe Kirakosyan told reporters on Thursday, October 26, Sputnik Armenia reports.

“This refers not only to the latest trial against Vagif Khachatryan, but also to all trials involving other captives,” Kirakossian said.

Khachatryan is a Nagorno-Karabakh civilian who was abducted by the Azerbaijani military when trying to reach Armenia through the mediation of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

Criminal cases have also been launched against former military and political figures of Nagorno-Karabakh. Azerbaijani authorities have detained former presidents Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan and Arayik Harutyunyan; Speaker of Parliament David Ishkhanyan, former Foreign Minister David Babayan, ex-commander of the Defense Army Levon Mnatsakanyan, former Minister of State Ruben Vardanyan and ex-chief of army staff Davit Manukyan.

Kirakosyan recalled that Armenia has already filed complaints about gross violations of rights to international courts. But, unfortunately, he added, said mechanisms do not yet provide other opportunities, although the Armenian side has petitioned for the release of all those detained by Azerbaijan. Kirakosyan noted that the work will continue, and other, more effective mechanisms are being considered.