Former Armenian President and Hayastan alliance prime ministerial candidate Robert Kocharyan said it is possible to return the military-political leadership of Artsakh held in Azerbaijani prisons to Armenia within a reasonable timeframe.

Speaking during a campaign event in the Shirak province community of Akhuryan, Kocharyan responded to a question from attendees by saying he is convinced their return is achievable.

“I am convinced their return is possible, and I am also convinced that the current authorities are not working on this issue. They say this is a delicate topic, let us not speak about it, let us deal with it silently. Meanwhile, the authorities want Artsakh’s military-political leadership to remain in Baku prisons so that influential figures do not appear here and attempt to unite displaced people for various purposes,” he said, according to Sputnik Armenia.

According to Kocharyan, it was “shameful” that the issue of prisoners was not publicly raised when the so-called peace agreement project was signed in Washington, even though it should have been set as a precondition.

“I have always stood by my word. I cannot say this will be possible within three to five months, but this issue can receive a solution within a reasonable timeframe. I see that possibility,” he said.

The Hayastan alliance candidate added that the issue of prisoners would become part of future peace agreement discussions and negotiations conducted by his political force.

Armenia’s next parliamentary elections are scheduled for June 7, 2026. Nineteen political forces — including two alliances and 17 parties — have applied to participate. The official campaign began on May 8 and will continue through June 5.