EU says detention of Armenians in Azerbaijan must be resolved – spokesperson Hipper

The European Union has reaffirmed that the issue of Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan remains an important humanitarian matter that must be addressed.

Responding to a question from CivilNet during a regular press briefing  on whether the issue of Armenian prisoners is on the EU’s agenda and to what extent it is raised in contacts with Azerbaijan, the lead spokesperson for EU Foreign Affairs and Security Policy, Anitta Hipper, said:

“As a general point, we support Armenia and Azerbaijan in the peace process. We have shown our support and have worked with the parties and international partners for several years to create conditions for a lasting peace, and on the issue of prisoners, we have been clear that these important humanitarian issues must be resolved, including the fate of the missing and the issue of Armenians held in Azerbaijan,” Hipper stated.

Azerbaijan continues to detain 19 Armenian prisoners of war, including representatives of the former military-political leadership of Nagorno-Karabakh. They were sentenced following trials based on fabricated criminal cases initiated in Azerbaijan.

Those sentenced to life imprisonment include former President of Nagorno-Karabakh Arayik Harutyunyan, former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan, former Foreign Minister David Babayan, former Defense Army Commander Levon Mnatsakanyan, former Deputy Commander David Manukyan, and former National Assembly Speaker David Ishkhanyan.

Former presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan were sentenced to 20 years in prison. Madat Babayan and Melikset Pashayan received 19-year sentences. Davit Allahverdyan was sentenced to 16 years in prison and  Erik Ghazaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan and Vasily Beglaryan were sentenced to 15 years. Garik Martirosyan received an 18-year sentence.