Armenia expects EU support for release of captives

PanARMENIAN.Net - Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan stated during the 4th session of the EU-Armenia Parliamentary Partnership Committee that Armenian captives remain in Azerbaijan, calling this "a disgraceful process for Baku from any legal and judicial perspective."

He emphasized that Armenia expects the European Union’s active support in securing the release of Armenian captives from Azerbaijan, Sputnik Armenia reports.

"We ask all partners to engage in the processes we are carrying out for peace. We are grateful to the EU, but its mediation format is currently ineffective," Hovhannisyan said.

He also mentioned discussions regarding the involvement of the new President of the European Council, expressing hope that António Costa will soon visit Armenia and Azerbaijan, as his participation could contribute to peace and stability in the region.

Foreign Minister Mirzoyan, in his meeting with Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross, and during his speech at the Foreign Affairs Council session, raised the issue of Armenian prisoners unlawfully detained in Azerbaijan. He highlighted the ongoing sham trials and expressed concern over their health and potential mistreatment.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan claimed that former military-political leaders of Artsakh held in Baku's prison are being administered psychotropic substances. He stated that intelligence data confirms this, alleging it aims to provoke escalation. Baku denies the accusations.