RA Deputy FM, ICRC vice-president discuss fate of Armenians held in  Baku 

ArmInfo.Armenian Deputy Foreign Minister Robert Abisogomonyan and International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Vice-President Gilles Carbonnier emphasized the importance of resolving all humanitarian issues at a meeting in Geneva in the context of post-conflict reconstruction and  reconciliation.

According to the Armenian Foreign Ministry's press service, in this  context, the need to resolve the issue of Armenians held in Baku, as  well as clarifying the fate of missing persons and resolving cases of  enforced disappearances, was emphasized.

Abisogomonyan also emphasized that Armenia is committed to its  constructive policy and is ready to contribute to international  humanitarian initiatives, believing that cooperation on humanitarian  issues should not be politicized.

As a reminder, former Artsakh State Minister and philanthropist Ruben  Vardanyan and seven other former and current Artsakh officials have  been held in Azerbaijani captivity since late September 2023, in  violation of all international law. The international community  ignores the fact that Artsakh officials are in Azerbaijani captivity.

It should be noted 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. Azerbaijani authorities  currently confirm the presence of 19 Armenians in their custody.  Among those held in Azerbaijani captivity are former Artsakh  presidents Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and 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.

In early February, a Baku puppet court sentenced Arayik Harutyunyan,  David Babayan, David Ishkhanyan, David Manukyan, and Levon  Mnatsakanyan to life imprisonment, and Bako Sahakyan and Arkady  Ghukasyan to 20 years in prison on trumped-up charges. The so-called  court sentenced the remaining Artsakh residents to up to 15 years in  prison. And on February 17, Ruben Vardanyan was sentenced to 20 years  in prison. All are accused of "terrorism" and "mercenarism."