Armenian Deputy FM: Efforts to Free Armenians from Azerbaijani Captivity Unsatisfactory
YEREVAN, March 3. /ARKA/. Deputy Foreign Minister of Armenia, Paruyr Hovhannisyan, spoke about the ongoing efforts with the European Union to secure the release of Armenians held in Azerbaijani captivity.
"Every official of the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs constantly raises this issue in their discussions with EU institutions. Of course, we cannot say that the results in terms of concrete actions have been satisfactory for us. But we must continue the work," Hovhannisyan said during a discussion in the parliamentary commission on the bill regarding Armenia's EU accession.
He emphasized that diplomacy includes both open and behind-the-scenes processes, and that the Armenian Foreign Ministry’s work with Brussels is ongoing. He also pointed out a number of successes achieved in negotiations with Hungary and France.
Regarding Armenian Prisoners in Baku
Officially, Azerbaijan confirms holding only 33 Armenian prisoners of war and civilians, but Armenian human rights advocates claim there are another 80 Armenian captives. On January 17, a so-called trial began in Baku for 15 Armenian prisoners of war. Among them are former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, former Presidents of the Republic Bako Sahakyan, Arkady Ghukasyan, and Arayik Harutyunyan, former Speaker of the Parliament David Ishkhanyan, former Foreign Minister and former Assistant to the President of the NKR David Babayan, former Defense Army Commander Levon Mnatsakanyan, and former Deputy Commander of the Defense Army of Artsakh David Manukyan.
Reactions from Armenia and the World
On February 27, 28 Armenian organizations sent an open letter to the President of the ICRC, Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, urging her to call for the immediate release of Ruben Vardanyan and other Armenian political prisoners unlawfully held in Azerbaijan.
On the same day, the Aznavour Foundation and 10 Armenian organizations appealed to the international community to take urgent and decisive action regarding the cruel treatment of Ruben Vardanyan in Azerbaijan, and to take a firm stance against the Aliyev regime.
On February 28, the Armenian Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued a statement expressing concern over reports about the "trials" of 23 Armenian prisoners, as well as information released by their lawyers. This included news about Ruben Vardanyan, who has been on a hunger strike, and the pressure, torture, and apparent deterioration of the prisoners' health.
