ArmInfo. French President Emmanuel Macron intends to discuss with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev the issue of Armenian prisoners of war held in Baku. He announced this to journalists on the evening of May 3 in Yerevan.
When asked by a journalist that the Armenian community in France demands that he and the international community take steps to secure the release of Armenian prisoners held in Baku, Macron noted that he would discuss the matter with the Armenian Prime Minister.
"Immediately after this trip, I will have another discussion with President Aliyev. You know that we always try to play our role, to mediate and assist. I believe in respect for international law and am very pleased that tensions have eased over the past few months and a new phase has begun. And I consider it very important to support this new phase of peace and stability. Therefore, our role is to do everything possible to improve the situation," Macron said.
It should be noted that the exact number of Armenian prisoners of war and hostages held in Azerbaijani prisons is still unknown. Experts estimate the number to be several hundred. Azerbaijani authorities currently confirm the presence of 19 Armenians.
Among those held in Azerbaijani captivity are eight former and current members of the military-political leadership of Artsakh. These include former Artsakh presidents Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Arayik Harutyunyan; former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan; as well as Parliament Speaker Davit Ishkhanyan; former Commander-in-Chief of the Artsakh Defense Army, General Levon Mnatsakanyan; General David Manukyan; and former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan.
In February, a Baku puppet court sentenced Arayik Harutyunyan, Davit Babayan, Davit Ishkhanyan, Davit Manukyan, and Levon Mnatsakanyan to life imprisonment on trumped-up charges, and Bako Sahakyan, Arkady Ghukasyan, and Ruben Vardanyan to 20 years in prison. The so-called court sentenced the remaining Artsakh residents to up to 15 years in prison.
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