During a visit to the Yerablur Military Pantheon on the occasion of Sparapet Vazgen Sargsyan's birthday, MP Andranik Kocharyan from the Civil Contract faction addressed the issue of prisoners of war in a conversation with journalists.

He stated that everything should have been done to prevent the military-political leadership of Artsakh from being captured, Panorama.am reports.

"When I recently said that they should not have been taken captive, some tried to misinterpret it... But such high-ranking officials being taken captive will be used against Armenia in Baku's trials. Everything should have been done to prevent their capture," Kocharyan said.

When asked who should have taken action, he responded: "Security personnel, including Russian peacekeepers."

He also warned that the ongoing trials in Baku could have serious consequences for Armenia.

"You are following the trials in Baku, and you see what consequences they may have for Armenia," the MP noted.

Kocharyan emphasized that Vazgen Sargsyan’s ideas must be brought to life.

"We must turn Vazgen Sargsyan’s ideas into reality. We must love our country and do everything to ensure its security and safety. That was his message," he said.

According to him, Vazgen Sargsyan succeeded in creating a regular army, and his dedication remains exemplary.

"Vazgen’s greatness was also in the fact that when he said we must have something, he had it himself. Achieving that requires dedication. And today, there is a lack of such dedication..." Kocharyan emphasized.

March 5 marks the birthday of Vazgen Sargsyan—he would have turned 66. On this occasion, his relatives, friends, and public and political figures visited Yerablur. He was assassinated on October 27, 1999, during a terrorist attack in the Armenian Parliament.