Armenian FM, ICRC delegation discuss fate of Armenian hostages in  Baku 

ArmInfo.On September 24, in New York, Ararat Mirzoyan, Foreign Minister of Armenia had a meeting with Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, President of the International Committee of the Red Cross. The meeting took place on the margins of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly.

Ararat Mirzoyan and Mirjana Spoljaric Egger discussed humanitarian  issues, in particular the release of Armenian prisoners of war and  civilian captives held in Azerbaijan, as well as the the issue of  organizing visits to them in conditions of the closure of the ICRC  office in Azerbaijan.

The interlocutors expressed hope that the peace established between  Armenia and Azerbaijan by the agreements of the August 8 Washington  Peace Summit will contribute also to the resolution of humanitarian  issues.

As a reminder, the ICRC delegation in Azerbaijan ceased operations on  September 3 of this year at the request of the Azerbaijani  authorities. Thus, Armenian prisoners of war and hostages were  deprived of the only mechanism for monitoring their condition and  ensuring their contact with their families. It is worth noting that  the exact number of Armenian prisoners of war and hostages held in  Azerbaijani prisons remains unknown.  Experts estimate the number to  be several hundred. Currently, the Azerbaijani authorities confirm  the presence of 23 Armenians in Azerbaijani custody. Among those held  in Azerbaijani captivity are eight former and current members of the  military-political leadership of Artsakh. These include former  presidents of Artsakh Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Arayik  Harutyunyan, former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan, as well as  Parliament Speaker Davit Ishkhanyan, former Commander of the Artsakh  Defense Army General Levon Mnatsakanyan, General David Manukyan, and  former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan.