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The We Exist initiative has denounced the interview with the former Artsakh leaders held captive in Azerbaijan as a blatant violation of human rights and a demonstration of power.

"The interview with the captured and illegally detained former leaders of Artsakh, as announced by Azerbaijan's state television channel, was yet another display of the egregious violation of human rights and a demonstration of power. Currently, eight representatives of the highest authority of the Republic of Artsakh are held in captivity in Azerbaijan," it said in a statement on Tuesday.

"Conducting interviews with these detained individuals is impermissible, as it is evident that they are subjected to coercion and incapable of genuinely expressing their thoughts and emotions. Furthermore, such interviews contravene the provisions of numerous international conventions and agreements.

"The We Exist initiative strongly condemns the fact of captivity and the disproportionate steps taken against the former leaders of Artsakh. We appeal to the relevant international structures, demanding urgent actions to prevent crimes in Azerbaijan. The gross violation of international humanitarian law by Azerbaijan should receive an adequate evaluation.

"We urge the UN, ICRC, OSCE, EU, and CE to take the necessary steps to safeguard the internationally guaranteed rights of detained persons," reads the statement.