Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly: I urge the media to adopt and follow self-regulation mechanisms

ArmInfo.  The deputy speaker of the National Assembly of Armenia from the ruling Civil Contract faction once again called for closing the issue of Armenian prisoners of war in the context of public discussions.

Speaking at a briefing in the National Assembly on September 16, the deputy speaker noted that this issue is constantly at the center of the authorities’ attention. "We use every opportunity to resolve this problem," said Vahagn Aleksanyan, who also took the opportunity to launch into criticism of opposition media outlets. As an example, he cited the headline of one article: "Let’s close the issue of prisoners of war by putting it in a desk drawer — Vaagn Aleksanyan."  According to the deputy speaker, this was not even a headline, but an attempt to take an expression out of context, which is unfair conduct.  He urged the media to adopt self-regulation mechanisms in order to avoid misunderstandings in the future.

However, Vaagn Aleksanyan’s explanations did not satisfy the journalists, who confronted him with questions unpleasant for the authorities. The deputy speaker did not like this and left the briefing halfway through.

It should be noted that the exact number of Armenian prisoners of war  and hostages held in Azerbaijani prisons is still unknown. Experts estimate that there are several hundred of them. Today, the Azerbaijani authorities confirm that they are holding 19 Armenians.  Among those held in Azerbaijani captivity are 8 former and current representatives of Artsakh’s military and political leadership. They include former Artsakh presidents Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan and Arayik Harutyunyan, former Foreign Minister David Babayan, as well as Parliament Speaker David Ishkhanyan, former commander of the Artsakh Defense Army, General Levon Mnatsakanyan, General David Manukyan and former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan. In February, the Baku puppet court sentenced Arayik Harutyunyan, David Babayan, David Ishkhanyan, David Manukyan and Levon Mnatsakanyan to life imprisonment on fabricated charges, while Bako Sahakyan, Arkady Ghukasyan and Ruben Vardanyan were sentenced to 20 years in prison.  The so-called court sentenced the remaining Artsakh Armenians to up to 15 years in prison.