The Pan-Armenian movement “Ashkharazhokhov” calls on the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Armenia, Ararat Mirzoyan, to facilitate the release of Armenian blogger Bella, detained by the Belarusian authorities at the request of so-called Azerbaijan.
“Mr. Minister, in the Republic of Belarus, at the request of the Republic of Azerbaijan, our compatriot, blogger Bella, who is a citizen of the Republic of Armenia (RA) and the Republic of Belarus (RB), has been detained.
It is no secret what the ‘fraternal’ relations between RB and the Republic of Azerbaijan represent—they are two dictatorial regimes. Therefore, we have no illusions about what awaits our compatriot, the blogger.
According to Article 89, Part 1, Clause (a) of the 2002 Chisinau Convention ‘On Legal Assistance and Legal Relations in Civil, Family, and Criminal Matters,’ the extradition of a detainee is not carried out if the person whose extradition is requested is a citizen of the requested Contracting Party. In this case—Belarus.
According to Part 3, Article 10 of the Constitution of Belarus, a citizen of the Republic of Belarus cannot be extradited to a foreign state, unless otherwise provided by international treaties of the Republic of Belarus.
According to Part 2, Article 7 of the RA Law ‘On Citizenship of the Republic of Armenia,’ citizens of Armenia abroad enjoy the protection and patronage of the RA. The Republic of Armenia, its diplomatic and consular missions, and their officials are obliged to protect the rights of citizens of the Republic of Armenia residing in other states and to take measures to restore their violated rights.
According to Clause (c), Part 1, Article 11 of the RA Law ‘On Diplomatic Service,’ the tasks of the RA Embassy also include the protection of the rights and legitimate interests of the Republic of Armenia, as well as its citizens and legal entities in the host state.
Based on the above, we ask you to take all necessary measures to ensure international legal guarantees and assistance for our citizen!” states the appeal of “Ashkharazhokhov”.