Nikol Pashinyan explains Armenia's silence on Artsakh leaders' trial in Baku

YEREVAN, January 23. /ARKA/. Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan explained the silence of official Yerevan regarding the trial of Artsakh leaders in Baku.

“The information and footage from Baku are certainly a cause for concern. However, we approach this situation primarily based on the principle of "Do no harm." This issue is always part of our diplomatic contacts and agenda. Therefore, we will continue to make efforts in this direction to achieve results,” Pashinyan said while answering questions from MPs in parliament.

He stated that he could make statements that align with the patriotic sentiments of the Armenian opposition, but “the aforementioned individuals will bear the impact and consequences of such statements” (referring to Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan – ed.).

 
About Armenian prisoners in Baku
 
Azerbaijan officially confirms that it is holding only 33 Armenian prisoners of war and civilians, but Armenian human rights activists claim that there are another 80 Armenian prisoners.
 
On January 17, the so-called trial of 18 Armenian prisoners of war began in Baku. Among them are former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, former Presidents of the Artsakh Republic Bako Sahakyan, Arkady Ghukasyan, and Arayik Harutyunyan, former Speaker of Parliament David Ishkhanyan, former Foreign Minister and former Assistant to the President of Artsakh David Babayan, former Commander of the Defense Army Levon Mnatsakanyan, and former Deputy Commander of the Artsakh Defense Army David Manukyan.

In his statement to the international community, Ruben Vardanyan noted that he faces 42 charges, some of which carry a sentence of life imprisonment. Vardanyan also stated that pressure was exerted on him, his lawyer, and his translator, that interrogation protocols were falsified, and that he and his compatriots are completely innocent.