Detention conditions of Syrian mercenaries in Armenia in line with international standards

Panorama, Armenia
Feb 2 2021

The detention conditions of Syrian mercenaries held in Armenia are in line with international standards, a group of public monitors said in a statement on Tuesday.

During the 44-day war unleashed by Azerbaijan against Artsakh, the Armenian side detained two Syrian citizens, who were placed under arrest as a measure of restraint. They are charged under a number of articles of Armenia’s Criminal Code, including mercenarism, international terrorism and gross violations of the norms of international humanitarian law during armed conflicts.

The group of public observers conducting public monitoring in penitentiaries of the Armenian Ministry of Justice checked the conditions of their detention during a visit to the penitentiary institutions.

The group of public observers says that the persons are kept in two different cells of the facility for security considerations. Their cells meet the standards provided for one person. In particular, there are bathrooms, running water, sufficient temperature and a possibility for air conditioning in the cells.

The administration of the penitentiary institution told the group that the Syrian mercenaries eat three meals a day and have undergone health checkups twice, as a result of which no health problems have been recorded.

Thus, the group reports that the detention conditions of the mercenaries are in line with international standards. 

Disclaimer: This article was contributed and translated into English by Emil Lazarian. While we strive for quality, the views and accuracy of the content remain the responsibility of the contributor. Please verify all facts independently before reposting or citing.

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Emil Lazarian

“I should like to see any power of the world destroy this race, this small tribe of unimportant people, whose wars have all been fought and lost, whose structures have crumbled, literature is unread, music is unheard, and prayers are no more answered. Go ahead, destroy Armenia . See if you can do it. Send them into the desert without bread or water. Burn their homes and churches. Then see if they will not laugh, sing and pray again. For when two of them meet anywhere in the world, see if they will not create a New Armenia.” - WS