Armenia's Government is doing everything to secure the release of all Armenian captives held in Azerbaijan, Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan reiterated on Wednesday.
Speaking at a press briefing, Simonyan, a senior member of the ruling Civil Contract party, expressed confidence that all captives will eventually be repatriated as a result of the government’s efforts.
He said that nearly 200 Armenians were held by Azerbaijan in the immediate aftermath of the 2020 war, most of whom were later released, and that 23 confirmed Armenian captives remain in Azerbaijan today.
“We have had up to 200 captives. Now, as of today, there are 23 confirmed captives. Let us wait, and I am confident that thanks to these steps, that number will eventually reach zero and everyone will return. The former leaders of Karabakh will also return, as will all those who were captured and are currently in prisons there. Our government has done and will continue to do everything to ensure that everyone, without exception, returns to the Republic of Armenia,” Simonyan said.
He said his optimism is based on previous experience in securing the release of POWs and captives, as well as ongoing efforts.
“I am saying that after the war we had up to 200 confirmed captives, and today we have 23 captives — ten times fewer. This is a basis I can rely on. And I know what efforts are being made by the government, by myself, and by the Minister of Foreign Affairs,” the Speaker of the National Assembly emphasized.
