Monitoring visits were continued under the NPM Mandate of the Ombudsman

Ombudsman Sabina Aliyeva and members of the National Preventive Group (NPG) conduct monitoring visits to institutions falling within the NPM mandate on a regular basis. 

Consequtive visits were carried out in institutions where citizens of Armenia, arrested for committing crimes as a terror-sabotage group in the liberated territories of Azerbaijan after the cessation of hostilities following the trilateral statement signed by the leaders of Azerbaijan, Russia, and Armenia on November 10, 2020, were held. Medical doctor and psychologist, who are also NPG members, also participate in these visits.

The Ombudsman and NPG Members had private interviews with detainees held in these institutions, including detained citizens of Armenia. During these meetings, their requests were listened to, and they were provided with legal documents related to their rights in their native language. 

In the course of the visits, conditions of their detention, such as the condition and size of the cells, lighting, ventilation, personal hygiene and sanitation conditions, medical services, and food-related matters, were thoroughly investigated.

During systematic visits, it has been observed that legal requirements regarding the rights of these individuals are followed; they are provided with necessary medical and psychological services. Also, there were no complaints regarding the conditions of their detention, treatment, phone calls, correspondence, access to external information sources (TV and publications), and the accessibility of medical services. It was determined that the detainees have access to literary and informational materials (also in their native languages) in their cells, and they are provided with unhindered opportunities for meetings with representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross.

It should be noted that, along with monitoring visits, the trial processes related to the accused individuals have been closely monitored, and independent observations have been conducted.

During the monitoring, it was observed that human rights and freedoms were respected during trials, which were organized in compliance with the legislation. Those accused individuals were  provided with lawyers and interpreters. It was found that the accused persons and their lawyers were created all the legal opportunities envisaged by the legislation.