Armenia’s representation office at the European Court of Human Rights(ECHR) has expressed it willingness to cooperate with lawyers, advocates, and other individuals or human rights organizations interested in halting what it describes as the “illegal prosecution” of Armenian POWs being held in Azerbaijan.

The representation, in a statement released today, urges all interested parties to consult with its office before taking any action given the sensitivity of the matter.

The representation notes that despite its many calls to the ECHR to take active steps to facilitate the release of the Armenian POWs held in Azerbaijan, or to guarantee their legal rights, the ECHR has refrained from intervening given the legal restrictions it faces in such matters.

“However, given that the only urgent remedy under the ECHR's legal mechanisms is the possibility of applying an interim measure under Rule 39 of the Rules of Court, which is unfortunately very limited and applies mainly in the event of an irreversible risk of a breach of the right to life or non-torture. The ECHR refrains from interfering in the criminal prosecution of these individuals,” reads the representation’s statement released today.

The representation writes that given the ECHR’s inability to act in the matter, it is pursuing professional discussions with competent state bodies and other interested parties to study alternative international mechanisms to obtain information on the criminal prosecutions, to intervene where possible, and to prevent them.

Fourteen Armenians are now on trial in a Baku court on charges of committing “provocative-terrorist acts” and face life imprisonment if found guilty.

“At the same time, taking into account the hypersensitivity of the problem and its great potential, we urge you to refrain as much as possible from unnecessary speculations on the topic, from public discussions on the issue,” the statement reads.

It is not clear who the “you” in this sentence refers to.