MEP urges EU to act on Armenian detainees

PanARMENIAN.Net - A Luxembourg member of the European Parliament has urged the European Union to take clearer and more practical steps toward securing the release of Armenians held in Azerbaijan.

Fernand Kartheiser, representing Luxembourg in the European Parliament, has once again appealed to the EU’s foreign policy leadership, calling for more concrete measures to secure the release of Armenian detainees held in Azerbaijan.

He warned that the issue could undermine the fragile progress achieved in the Armenia–Azerbaijan peace process, Armenpress reported.

In a letter addressed to European Commission Vice-President and EU High Representative Kaja Kallas, Kartheiser stressed that the trials held in Baku were politically motivated and failed to meet standards of legality and transparency. The MEP called on the EU to intervene to facilitate the unconditional release of all Armenians held, underscoring the importance of upholding international law and human rights protections.

In response to Kartheiser’s appeal, Kallas’ office stated that the EU has followed the trials of former military and political leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh.

The reply emphasized that the right to a fair trial and proper detention conditions are fundamental rights, and that the EU has called on Azerbaijani authorities to respect their international obligations.

Kallas’ office also assured that the EU has continued to encourage the parties to use the atmosphere formed in the peace process since August to resolve outstanding issues, including humanitarian concerns.

Kartheiser had previously raised the issue of Armenians held in Baku in March last year. The European Parliament has continued to keep on its agenda the issue of the immediate return of those unlawfully detained in Baku.