ICJ rejects Armenian request against Azerbaijan: Foreign Ministry

By Burc Eruygur

ANKARA (AA) - Azerbaijan declared on Friday that the International Court of Justice (ICJ) dismissed Armenia's request to modify measures specified in a court order dated Dec. 7, 2021, declaring the material presented as insufficient.

“This decision aligns with Azerbaijan’s commitment to treat any Armenian detainees in full compliance with the Court’s previous decision, as well as with its international and domestic obligations to treat detainees humanely and without discrimination,” the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The Foreign Ministry noted that a detailed investigation is being conducted with regards to video images anonymously circulated on social media, allegedly showing the “illegal actions of Azerbaijani military personnel.”

“By contrast, no steps have been taken by Armenia to prosecute those who committed numerous war crimes and are responsible for other illegal acts against Azerbaijani military personnel and civilians,” the statement said.

The statement further expressed that over 1,400 new landmines were laid in the country since the signing of a trilateral agreement between Azerbaijan, Russia, and Armenia, which ended nearly three-decades of Armenian occupation during the 44-day clashes in the 2020 fall.

“Both Azerbaijan and international observers, including the Special Rapporteur of the Council of Europe and the EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus, have repeatedly called on Armenia to investigate the video images widely distributed on social media that indicate war crimes committed by its military personnel, and bring the perpetrators of war crimes to justice,” it added.

The ministry statement concluded that the international community must hold Armenia “accountable for its actions” and that Azerbaijan is committed to “the peace process and negotiations, as well as to the protection of the rights of all people within the framework of international law.”