PM: 39 captured Armenians being held in Azerbaijan

NEWS.am
Armenia – May 25 2022

One of the main topics discussed in Brussels was the return of prisoners, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said at a meeting of the National Assembly during the government hour on Wednesday.

According to him, the position of the European Union and international organizations is that the Armenians held in Azerbaijan should be returned to their homeland as soon as possible.

According to the prime minister, Azerbaijan is constantly trying to link the return of prisoners with some additional conditions, but Armenia does not agree with this position of Baku.

“Our position remains that, according to the tripartite statement of November 9, 2020, all detainees, prisoners of war and hostages must be returned,” Pashinyan noted.

He also said that 39 Armenian prisoners are being held in Azerbaijan to this day. Their identities have been confirmed.

"One of them recently got lost and ended up under the control of Azerbaijanis," the Armenian leade added.

The most effective way is to secure support and pressure from the international community. He is convinced that this is what will make it possible to achieve the return of captive compatriots to their homeland in the future, he added.

Ombudsman of Artsakh recently noted that in addition to the 38 military and civilian confirmed by Baku, there is evidence that another 80 Armenians are being held in Azerbaijan.