The RA Ministry of Foreign Affairs: the process of reconciliation with Azerbaijan is impossible without a full settlement of the prisoner issue

ArmInfo. Issues related to the release of Armenians held in Azerbaijan and the clarification of the fate of missing persons must be considered in the context of strengthening and institutionalizing peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan. This was stated by RA Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Trade Ararat Mirzoyan on November 5 during budget hearings in the National Assembly of the Republic of Armenia.

According to him, this issue is included in the priorities of the 2027 state budget of Armenia. According to the head of the Foreign Ministry, everyone understands that in addition to establishing peace, a lengthy reconciliation process lies ahead, and this is impossible without a full resolution of the issues of prisoners, humanitarian problems in general, and the clarification of the fate of missing persons. The Minister assured that work on the return of prisoners is ongoing and that this issue is not being ignored.

Mirzoyan emphasized that some consider the achieved results insufficient, while others assess them positively, noting that he understands both positions. "This issue is still awaiting a final decision, and we continue to work in this direction," said the head of the Armenian Foreign Ministry.

It should be noted that the exact number of Armenian prisoners of war and hostages held in Azerbaijani prisons is still unknown. Experts estimate their number at several hundred. Today, Azerbaijani authorities confirm the presence of 19 Armenians in their custody. Among those held in Azerbaijani captivity are eight former and current members of the military-political leadership of Artsakh. These are the former presidents of Artsakh Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Arayik Harutyunyan, former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan, as well as the speaker of parliament Davit 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 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.