Speaker reaffirms Armenia’s efforts to secure release of all remaining captives held in Azerbaijan

Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan, a senior member of the ruling Civil Contract party, reiterated on Monday the authorities’ ongoing efforts to secure the release of all remaining Armenian captives held in Azerbaijan.

“I can say that all the people who are there—we have been working regarding them and will continue to do so without interruption. No matter how long it takes, we will carry out this work and try to find solutions with Azerbaijan so that these people can return. This is not up for discussion. There is no other opinion on this matter, and there never has been,” Simonyan said when asked at a press briefing to comment on rumors that Azerbaijan could choose never to return the ex-officials of Karabakh who are among the captives.

Last week, Azerbaijan released four Armenian captives, bringing the number of confirmed captives still held there to 19.

The captives include ex-officials of Karabakh, namely the former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan; former presidents Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Arayik Harutyunyan; ex-Foreign Minister Davit Babayan; ex-Speaker of Parliament Davit Ishkhanyan; ex-Defense Minister Levon Mnatsakanyan; and ex-Deputy Defense Minister Davit Manukyan.