❗ The Public Council for the Protection of Gagik Tsarukyan and Political Prisoners in Prison has sent a letter to the 2026 Nobel Peace Prize winner Navi Pila, presenting the principles of protection of human rights in Armenia. It is the most serious problems and drawing his attention to the worrying developments taking place in the country. Below is the full text of the letter. Dear Ms. Pillay, Please accept our warm congratulations on being awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. This prestigious recognition is a tribute to your lifelong dedication to the protection of human rights, international justice and the establishment of the fundamental principle that the law should protect the individual from the arbitrary exercise of power. from whom In Armenia, we pay close attention to the activities of those people whose dedication to peace and protection of human rights has been internationally recognized. Our historical and current experience has taught us what a huge price nations and ordinary people pay for peace. Therefore, the international recognition of your work gives us hope that the international community continues to adhere to the values ​​of peace, justice and human dignity. At the same time, we would like to emphasize a principle of special importance for Armenia. peace cannot be stable and long-lasting if it is not based on the rule of law, justice and effective protection of fundamental human rights. While a fragile peace is maintained along the external borders of Armenia, the state of legal guarantees, the implementation of justice and the conditions of democratic political life are causing serious concerns inside the country. We are convinced that strengthening the domestic justice system and the rule of law is indispensable for ensuring social stability, restoring public trust and maintaining long-term peace. �. It is in this context that we appeal to you regarding the arrest of prominent leaders of the opposition political forces of Armenia and the wider impact of these cases on individual freedom, political pluralism and the functioning of democratic institutions. � in order to draw your attention to the consequences. Our council was founded after the parliamentary elections held in Armenia on June 7, 2026. One of the main opposition forces that participated in the parliamentary elections, the "Prosperous Armenia" party, was deprived of its parliamentary mandates as a result of unconstitutional recounts. Party leader Gagik Tsarukyan was later arrested and is still in custody. Actions taken against the "Prosperous Armenia" party were also addressed in the final report of the PACE election observation mission (Doc. 16486 rev, 22 September 2026). Our concerns are deepened by the fact that the leaders of the other two opposition forces that entered the parliament also continue to remain in custody. These individuals are well-known politicians and leaders of their respective parties who represent peaceful ideological positions as an alternative to the authorities and openly criticize the government's policies. the star. In a democratic society, their role is to express alternative political positions, represent their voters and supporters, and challenge the government's decisions through peaceful political activity. Consequently, their continued detention affects not only their individual rights, but also their supporters' ability to fully participate in political life. Being a political leader does not exempt anyone from investigation or prosecution. At the same time, criminal proceedings should not become a means of isolating political opponents or limiting legitimate political competition. We are deeply concerned that continued detention in these cases could effectively translate into punishment before guilt is established and contribute to the suppression of peaceful opposition. Such circumstances raise fundamental questions about the presumption of innocence, the right to a fair trial, the proportionality of pretrial detention, and public confidence in the impartiality of the justice system. We are not asking you to prejudge your position on any person's charges or to interfere with a judicial assessment of guilt or innocence. Our concern is with the safeguards that should govern criminal proceedings and, in particular, with the use of detention until the final determination of guilt. The presumption of innocence must have practical significance, including providing protection against the use of detention as a determinative punishment. Where necessary and consistent with the law, non-custodial alternative measures should be proportionately considered, ensuring that persons can exercise their rights and participate fully in the proceedings. To have public and political life. Our council was originally created to support the public protection of the rights and interests of the leader of the "Prosperous Armenia" party, Gagik Tsarukyan. The council includes human rights defenders, activists, former ministers, public and cultural figures from different countries. However, our activities are not limited to the protection of one person or one political force. Our main goal is to contribute to the strengthening of Armenia's justice system, the restoration of the rule of law and the protection of the rights of those who are persecuted because of their political views or activities. Ров. We are concerned about the cases when people are prosecuted or arrested in connection with their political activities. We consider it important that each such case be investigated by independent and impartial procedures in accordance with the requirements of the law. Our concerns are not limited to the borders of Armenia either. Many Armenians continue to be held in Baku, including representatives of the former military and political leadership of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh), as well as Ruben Vardanyan, a businessman and philanthropist known for his international humanitarian activities. You are probably familiar with the "Aurora" humanitarian initiative founded by him. We consider it important the continued attention of the international community to the protection of the rights of these persons, the provision of proper legal guarantees in their cases and the efforts aimed at their release. Taking into account your long-term experience in the field of human rights protection and international justice, we are turning to you, asking you, within the scope of your capabilities and professional connections, to support the international raising of these issues. In particular, we will be grateful if you consider the following possibilities: ● Call on the Armenian authorities to ensure that the cases of detained opposition leaders are investigated in accordance with the rule of law, presumption of innocence and fair trial guarantees, as well as to ensure their �release pending trial, if detention is not necessary and proportionate, using appropriate non-custodial alternative measures if necessary. ● Draw attention to the broader implications of these cases for political pluralism, the protection of peaceful opposition, and the right of individuals to participate in public and political life without risk of arbitrary imprisonment. ● Contribute to the discussion of these issues in international human rights circles and, if necessary, raise them in relations with the relevant authorities of Armenia and international human rights mechanisms. ● To support the ongoing international efforts aimed at protecting the rights of Armenians detained in Baku, ensuring adequate legal guarantees in their cases and finding possible ways for their release. We are fully aware that these issues require continued attention, independent assessment and international cooperation. Our application is not intended to advance any particular political interest or to prejudge the outcome of ongoing court proceedings. It stems from the belief that the protection of fundamental rights, the independence and impartiality of the judiciary, and the preservation of the necessary environment for peaceful political opposition are essential to democracy, public trust and a stable economy. are the main bases of saltiness. We sincerely hope that your voice and experience will help bring international attention to these concerns and reaffirm the principle that government criticism and peaceful political activity by themselves should never be It is the basis for deprivation of liberty. Once again, please accept our warm congratulations on this important and well-deserved recognition. We wish you strength, perseverance and continued success in fulfilling your important mission of protecting human rights, justice and peace. Attached: List of political prisoners and political and public figures under political persecution and political prisoners and prisoners of war illegally held in Azerbaijan prison. POLITICAL PRISONERS AND POLITICAL AND PUBLIC OFFICERS SUBJECT TO POLITICAL PERSECUTION 1. Gagik Tsarukyan, chairman of the "Prosperous Armenia" party, chairman of the National Olympic Committee of Armenia. 2. Robert Kocharyan, the second president of the Republic of Armenia, head of the "Hayastan" bloc. 3. Samvel Karapetyan, chairman of "Tashir" group of companies, leader of "Strong Armenia" party. 4. Archbishop Mikael Adjapahyan, leader of the Shirak Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church. 5. Bagrat Archbishop Galstanyan, former head of the Tavush Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Holy Church, leader of the "Holy Struggle" movement. 6. Andranik Tevanyan, chairman of the "Mother Armenia" party, former deputy of the RA National Assembly. 7. Martun Grigoryan, former deputy of the RA National Assembly, candidate for deputy of the 2026 parliamentary elections of the "Prosperous Armenia" party, leader of the "Our City" bloc. 8. Aregnaz Manukyan, member of the "Mother Armenia" party, former deputy of the RA National Assembly. 9. Artur Sargsyan, deputy of the Armenia faction of the RA National Assembly. 10. Davit Galstyan, deputy of the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh, head of the "Justice" faction. 11. Ara Rostomyan, co-founder of "Sons Call" NGO, supporter of "Holy Struggle" movement. 12. Movses Sharbatyan, member of the "Holy Struggle" movement. 13. Aghvan Arshakyan, a person involved in the "Holy Struggle" movement. 14. Arman Israelyan, a person passing through the "Holy Struggle" movement. 15. Armen Aleksanyan, supporter of the "Holy Struggle" movement. 16. Arsen Ghazaryan, a person passing through the case of the "Holy Struggle" movement. 17. Igor Sargsyan, member of the Supreme Body of the Armenian Revolutionary Federation. 18. Lidya Mantashyan, press secretary of Tavush Diocese of the Armenian Apostolic Church, participant of the "Holy Struggle" movement. 19. Karo Okumushyan, participant of the "Holy Struggle" movement. 20. Hrayr Hakobyan, deacon of the Armenian Apostolic Church, participant of the "Holy Struggle" movement. 21. Mihran Makhsudyan, colonel of the reserve forces of the RA Armed Forces, supporter of the "Holy Struggle" movement. 22. Tigran Galstyan, businessman, participant of the "Holy Struggle" movement. 23. Tigran Topalyan, participant of the "Holy Struggle" movement. 24. Vahagn Chakhalyan, public-politician, participant of the "Holy Struggle" movement. 25. Hayk Shahnazaryan, participant of the "Holy Struggle" movement. 26. Avetik Chalabyan, public-politician, member of the Board of Trustees of "Arar" Foundation, "Hayakve" National Civil Union 27. Armen Ashotyan, vice-chairman of the Republican Party of Armenia (RPA), former Minister of Education and Science of the Republic of Armenia. 28. Vardan Ghukasyan, Mayor of Gyumri. 29. Khachik Galstyan, general secretary of the "Homeland" party, doctor of political science, professor. 30. Aram Kocharyan, member of the "Hayrenik" party, employee of the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. 31. Davit Hambardzumyan, former mayor of Masis, member of the RPA executive body. 32. Artur Danielyan, founder of "Adekvat" Congregation, public and political figure. 33. Artur Avanesyan, colonel of the reserve army, head of the security team of "Strong Armenia" political force. 34. Narek Samsonyan, public-politician, co-author and host of the "Imnemnimi" podcast. 35. Vazgen Saghatelyan, co-author and host of the "Imnemnimi" podcast. 36. Levon Kocharyan, deputy of the "Armenia" faction of the RA National Assembly, member of the RA NA delegation to the PACE. 37. Sedrak Kocharyan, businessman, son of the second president of RA, Robert Kocharyan. 38. Mamikon Aslanyan, former mayor of Vanadzor, member of the political team of the "Strong Armenia" party. 39. Vahram Sahakyan: writer, poet, film director 40. Alik Aleksanyan, member of the board of the "Strong Armenia" party, founder and head of the "Protection of National Values ​​in Our Way" NGO. More than a hundred members and supporters of opposition political forces are subjected to political persecution. CIVIL PRISONERS AND WARRIORS HELD ILLEGALLY IN AZERBAIJAN PRISONS 1. Ruben Vardanyan - former state minister of the Republic of Artsakh, businessman and philanthropist. 2. Bako Sahakyan - the third president of the Republic of Artsakh (2007-2020). 3. Arkady Ghukasyan - the second president of Artsakh Republic (1997-2007). 4. Araik Harutyunyan - the fourth president of the Republic of Artsakh (2020-2023). 5. Davit Ishkhanyan - Chairman of the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh, former representative of the Central Committee of the ARF Artsakh. 6. Davit Babayan - former Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Artsakh, former adviser to the President of Artsakh. 7. Levon Mnatsakanyan - former commander of the Artsakh Defense Army, lieutenant general. 8. Davit Manukyan - former First Deputy Commander of Artsakh Defense Army, Major General. 9. Rashid Beglaryan - resident of Artsakh, civilian. He was arrested by Azerbaijani forces in 2023. 10. Madat Babayan - a resident of Getavan village, Martakert region of Artsakh, cattle breeder. 11. Alyosha Khosrovyan - captured during the 2020 war. 12. Ludwig Mkrtchyan - captured during the 2020 war. 13. Davit Alaverdyan - captured in September 2023 in Artsakh. 14. Levon Balayan - captured in September 2023 in Artsakh. 15. Vasili Beglaryan - captured in September 2023 in Artsakh. 16. Eric Ghazaryan - captured in September 2023 in Artsakh. 17. Garik Martirosyan - captured in September 2023 in Artsakh. 18. Melikset Pashayan - captured in September 2023 in Artsakh. 19. Gurgen Stepanyan - captured in September 2023 in Artsakh.