ArmInfo. Azerbaijan uses Armenian prisoners of war and civilians as a lever of pressure on Armenia and Artsakh. Artsakh State Minister Artak Beglaryan stated this on January 18 at a press conference in Stepanakert.
"The question is very painful. But in many ways, its decision does not depend on us. Azerbaijan, violating all international norms, including international humanitarian law and fundamental human rights, holds civilians and military personnel. By the way, some of them, we can assert this on the basis of facts, are hiding, using them as hostages or even slaves. Azerbaijan uses our compatriots as hostages and as a lever of pressure and bargaining with Armenia and Artsakh", Beglaryan emphasized.
At the same time, referring to the people of Artsakh, who, under certain circumstances, have recently accidentally entered the territories controlled by Azerbaijan, the State Minister stressed that these issues are being resolved through Russian peacekeepers, and it is possible to return them. "As for the prisoners during the war and after, in particular, in Khtsaberd, in fact, unfortunately, we do not have mechanisms and levers of direct influence. Rather, through the Russian side and together with our Armenian colleagues, we are trying to exert pressure with the help of international partners. But, unfortunately, the results are not as tangible as we would like>, summed up Beglaryan.
It should be noted that Azerbaijan, in violation of its obligations, has been holding Armenian prisoners of war and civilians for the second year already Moreover, many of them were prosecuted illegally and sentenced to long prison terms. It is also worth noting that there is still no accurate data on the number of prisoners of war and hostages held in Azerbaijani captivity, where they are subjected to inhuman treatment.