The secretary of the Civil Contract parliamentary faction, Artur Hovhannisyan, responded to opposition claims that the current government is neglecting the issue of Armenian captives held in Baku, accusing them of political manipulation.

According to Hovhannisyan, the opposition orchestrated a palace coup, resulting in the capture of former Artsakh leaders, as reported by Auroranews.am .

“All these accusations that we are not securing their release because they are your political opponents or adversaries are nonsense, forgive me. I repeat: we are doing everything possible on all platforms to ensure the return of our compatriots to Armenia.

Let the opposition explain how this situation arose. Seyran Ohanyan says, ‘You handed over our comrades.’ Once again, I must say, you, through your faction, carried out a palace coup, creating a situation where the president you appointed signed the document dissolving the Republic of Artsakh. This led to the capture of your comrades-in-arms. So who handed them over—you or us?” Hovhannisyan said.

Commenting on the ongoing trial and the perceived lack of an official position, Hovhannisyan asserted that official statements have been made, adding that the government is consistently fighting for the captives’ return on international platforms.

“I advise the opposition to pay attention. Statements regarding this judicial process have been made, and we continue to work daily on international platforms for the return of our compatriots,” he said.

He added that the opposition’s accusations are unfounded and appear to be more about deflecting blame for the misfortunes they brought upon the Armenians of Nagorno-Karabakh.

*In September 2023, following a nine-month blockade and the ethnic cleansing of the entire Armenian population in Artsakh, Azerbaijan captured former Artsakh presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Arayik Harutyunyan, as well as former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, Foreign Minister Davit Babayan, and several other former leaders. The fabricated charges against them could lead to life sentences. On January 17, the first trial session of Artsakh leaders was held in Baku.

On January 16, Ruben Vardanyan stated that he has not made any statements since his arrest except for providing his name. He emphasized that all records bearing his signature are falsified and confirmed that he, his lawyer, and his translator have faced significant pressure.*