EU calls Armenian detainees case key humanitarian issue

PanARMENIAN.Net - The issue of Armenians held in Azerbaijan is an important humanitarian matter that must be resolved, European Union foreign affairs and security spokesperson Anita Hipper said, reaffirming the EU’s position.

She made the remarks during a regular briefing in response to a question from CivilNet, Armenpress reports.

The journalist asked whether the issue of Armenian detainees in Azerbaijan is on the EU agenda and how extensively it has been raised in contacts with Azerbaijan.

“In general, we support Armenia and Azerbaijan in the peace process. We have demonstrated our support and have worked for several years with the sides and international partners to create conditions for lasting peace. Regarding detainees, we have been clear that these important humanitarian issues must be resolved, including the fate of missing persons and the issue of Armenians held in Azerbaijan,” Anita Hipper said.

Former Nagorno-Karabakh President Arayik Harutyunyan, former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan, former commander of the Defense Army Levon Mnatsakanyan, former deputy commander of the Defense Army Davit Manukyan, and former National Assembly Speaker Davit Ishkhanyan have been sentenced to life imprisonment in Azerbaijan.

Former Nagorno-Karabakh presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan have been sentenced to 20 years in prison. Madat Babayan and Melikset Pashayan were sentenced to 19 years. Davit Alaverdyan received a 16-year prison sentence, while Erik Ghazaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan and Vasily Beglaryan were sentenced to 15 years. Garik Martirosyan was sentenced to 18 years in prison.