❌Investigation Report - The kidnap and execution of Erik Gasparyan (+21)

Warning all footage shown in this report are not blurred!

An Unprovoked attack on Artsakh by Azerbaijan began on the September 27, 2020, after the Azerbaijan army attacked the disputed lands of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh). The six-week conflict resulted in a total of more than 5,000 deaths, both sides included. On November 9th, a (trilateral) cease-fire agreement was signed between Armenia and Azerbaijan under the Russia’s terms to end the war. Russian peacekeepers were later deployed on the disputed territories.

(Read Full trilateral Ceasefire Agreement)

The following content includes the timeline of known events leading up to how Erik Arshaki Gasparyan, an Armenian soldier who fought in the Artsakh war, was captured during the ceasefire and later unjustly killed by Azerbaijan forces. This gruesome killing of an Armenian soldier is considered a war crime under International Law and a breach of the above mentioned trilateral agreement.

Erik Gasparyan an Armenian soldier born in Yerevan, Armenia was only 19 years old when he was killed.

Erik was captured by the Azerbaijan forces after the peacekeeping and ceasefire agreement was signed on November 10th, the specific kidnap date is unknown but the last contact with his relatives was on December 12. The place of his capture is also unknown as we were unable to geolocate any of the videos of his primary capture.

1. The footage (1) below is of Erik Arshaki Gasparyan being captured by the Azeri army.

The footage is dated December 13, 2020 (Footage not Blurred) 21+

2. The footage (2) below is of Erik Arshaki Gasparyan being transported to an unknown location still wearing his military jacket. The footage is also dated December 13, 2020. It is speculated that the Azeri forces may have transported him on the same day to another location. (Footage not Blurred) 21+

3. On the 27th of December 2020, Azerbaijani forces issued information of a skirmish, accusing "Armenian Forces" of attacking Azeri positions in Hadrut "Artsakh". They released the following footage they claim is from the gunfight that took place on that date. We believe the footage is a fake and released for propaganda purposes to justify the killings of Armenian soldiers.(Footage not Blurred) 21+

4. 4. On December 29, 2020, Azerbaijani forces released footage depicting false Azeri claims that the killed Armenian soldiers in the video had attacked Azeri positions in the Hadrut region of Artsakh. It was later proved that Armenian soldiers never broke ceasefire. The killed Armenian prisoners were not captured during the time of war but after the ceasefire agreement.

Among the Armenian soldiers murdered execution style was Erik Arshaki Gasparyan.

His body was later mutilated.

Erik was a pawn in a game Azerbaijan played with Erik paying the ultimate price. The following footage is being shared for the world to know how he was brutally and unjustly murdered.

(Footage not Blurred) 21+

5. After Erik Arshaki Gasparyan was killed, a chain was placed around his neck and then you can see the Azeri soldiers dragging around his lifeless body. (Footage not Blurred) 21+

6. This Horrific act of killing, executing, and mutilating an unarmed hostage is a war crime that should not be forgotten. Erik was an innocent man who was bravely protecting his lands when he was taken as a prisoner and then killed in a barbaric way.

Azerbaijan forces have violated all the laws of the Geneva Convention relative to the Treatment of Prisoners of War, adopted on 12 August 1949 by the Diplomatic Conference for the Establishment of International Conventions for the Protection of Victims of War, held in Geneva from 21 April to 12 August 1949 Entry into force: 21 October 1950.

Article 3 stated the following:

In the case of armed conflict not of an international character occurring in the territory of one of the High Contracting Parties, each party to the conflict shall be bound to apply, as a minimum, the following provisions:

1. Persons taking no active part in the hostilities, including members of armed forces who have laid down their arms and those placed hors de combat by sickness, wounds, detention, or any other cause, shall in all circumstances be treated humanely, without any adverse distinction founded on race, color, religion or faith, sex, birth or wealth, or any other similar criteria.

To this end the following acts are and shall remain prohibited at any time and in any place whatsoever with respect to the above-mentioned persons:

(a) Violence to life and person, in particular, the murder of all kinds, mutilation, cruel treatment, and torture;

(b Taking of hostages;

(c) Outrages upon personal dignity, in particular, humiliating and degrading treatment;

(d) The passing of sentences and the carrying out of executions without previous judgment pronounced by a regularly constituted court affording all the judicial guarantees which are recognized as indispensable by civilized peoples.

2. The wounded and sick shall be collected and cared for.

An impartial humanitarian body, such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, may offer its services to the Parties to the conflict.

The Parties to the conflict should further endeavor to bring into force, by means of special agreements, all or part of the other provisions of the present Convention.

The application of the preceding provisions shall not affect the legal status of the Parties to the conflict.

Erik Gasparyan was not captured during the time of war, but during the time of the ceasefire when he was taken as a hostage, horrifically tortured, and mutilated by the Azerbaijan army.

Erik was only 19 years old he will not be forgotten:

https://www.ohchr.org/EN/ProfessionalInterest/Pages/TreatmentOfPrisonersOfWar.aspx