Bodies of dead Armenian soldiers bear marks of torture: Human Rights Defender

Armenian Human Rights Defender Kristine Grigoryan told a press conference on Friday that the bodies of dead Armenian soldiers, handed over by Azerbaijan, bore marks of torture.

The remains of over 133 soldiers, who were killed in clashes with Azerbaijani forces in mid September, were recently handed over to Armenia by Azerbaijan.

"DNA analysis will be made on many of the bodies for identification purposes because they had not been kept in proper conditions. There are also bodies with marks of torture," she said.

Grigoryan noted that one of the soldiers did not have mortal wounds, and that the soldier may have died of internal bleeding, which is an indication of lack of proper medical care.

She also said that she asked EU Special Representative for the South Caucasus and the crisis in Georgia, Toivo Klaar, to present a video of alleged crimes committed against Azerbaijanis.

"I asked Mr. Klaar to provide me with those videos, which, in his opinion, may support claims of torture of Azerbaijani soldiers by Armenians," she said.

Grigoryan stressed that she also expressed her willingness to study those videos and demand an explanation from Armenian authorities.

Yerevan earlier called for investigation of alleged execution of Armenian prisoners of war by Azerbaijani soldiers after the authenticity of a video showing the executions was confirmed both by the Armenian Defense Ministry and by Kristine Grigoryan.