The Coordinating Council of Armenian Organizations of France (CCAF) has formally petitioned the International Criminal Court (ICC) to open a criminal investigation against Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev for his role in military operations in Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh)
The CCAF has filed the petition through Sevag Torossian, a lawyer at the Paris Barreau and with the ICC, emphasizing the severity of the crimes committed during the Azerbaijan-led offensive.
Many non-governmental organizations, as well as former ICC Prosecutor Luis Moreno Ocampo, have characterized Azerbaijan’s actions against Artsakh Armenians as genocide, crimes against humanity, and war crimes.
In their petition, the CCAF co-chairs, Ara Toranian and Mourad Papazian, have called on the French government to urge the ICC to investigate the crimes and take action against Ilham Aliyev.
The petition stresses that the international community has shown a lack of courage in holding perpetrators accountable, with the CCAF condemning the ongoing denial of justice for the Armenian people.
“This is the second time since 1915 that Armenians have faced such a denial of justice. This situation is intolerable,” the CCAF statement reads, drawing a parallel between the current situation and the historical injustice Armenians suffered in 1915.
In its submission, the CCAF urges the ICC prosecutor to take action under Article 15 of the Rome Statute. The request includes the following demands:
- A recognition of sufficient grounds to investigate the crimes committed against the Armenians of Artsakh during the 2020″2023 period.
- A referral of the matter of territorial jurisdiction over Artsakh to the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber.
- The issuance of an international arrest warrant for President Ilham Aliyev and all those responsible for the crimes in Artsakh between 2020 and 2023.
The petition marks a critical moment in efforts to seek accountability for the violence and displacement in Artsakh, with the CCAF emphasizing the importance of ending all forms of denial and holding genocidal leaders accountable through the ICC.
The petition highlights the devastating impact of Azerbaijan’s military actions from September 27, 2020, to October 4, 2023, which led to the forced displacement of over 120,000 Armenians and the destruction of their cultural heritage.
In its submission, the CCAF urges the ICC prosecutor to take action under Article 15 of the Rome Statute.
The request includes the following demands:
- A recognition of sufficient grounds to investigate the crimes committed against the Armenians of Artsakh during the 2020″2023 period.
- A referral of the matter of territorial jurisdiction over Artsakh to the ICC Pre-Trial Chamber.
- The issuance of an international arrest warrant for President Ilham Aliyev and all those responsible for the crimes in Artsakh between 2020 and 2023.
Earlier, the CCAF had called on the French government to refer the case to the ICC, but the organization claims that Western powers have failed to show sufficient determination to act. In its statement, the CCAF decried the ongoing denial of justice for Armenians, comparing the situation to the historical injustice of 1915.
“This is the second time since 1915 that Armenians have faced such a denial of justice. Such a situation is unacceptable,” the CCAF added.