Armenian Deputy FM: POWs issue on agenda, no progress

PanARMENIAN.Net - The issue of Armenian prisoners of war held in Baku remains on the agenda of Armenia’s Foreign Ministry, but the specific actions taken are not satisfactory. This was stated by Armenia’s Deputy Foreign Minister Paruyr Hovhannisyan during an emergency session of the parliamentary standing committee on European integration, in response to a question from MP Armen Gevorgyan of the Armenia faction.

The lawmaker inquired whether the Foreign Ministry had raised the issue of Armenian POWs in Baku through diplomatic channels, including in discussions with the EU, Sputnik Armenia reports.

"In light of these ongoing trials, what specific steps can the EU take to ensure that Azerbaijani authorities comply with their internationally recognized obligations?" Gevorgyan asked.

Hovhannisyan responded that the Foreign Ministry has consistently kept this issue on the agenda, raising it in all meetings and interactions with the EU.

"Action is taken—can we say they are satisfactory? No. But we must continue our work. As you know, diplomacy involves confidential and behind-the-scenes processes, and in this regard, work continues both with Brussels and with member states," the deputy minister stated.

Since January 17, Azerbaijan has been conducting trials against former military and political leaders of Artsakh. The accused include former presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Arayik Harutyunyan, former Defense Army commander Levon Mnatsakanyan, former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan, and others.

The case of former state minister Ruben Vardanyan is being handled separately. Despite his request to merge it with the others, the court decided to review 400 out of 422 volumes separately. On February 26, reports emerged that Vardanyan's health had severely deteriorated after he declared a hunger strike in an Azerbaijani prison on February 19.