Speaker of the Armenian National Assembly Alen Simonyan stated that there are currently 23 confirmed Armenian captives held in Azerbaijan. Speaking to reporters, Simonyan expressed confidence that “sooner or later, the number of prisoners will reach zero,” Aysor.am reports.
“Let’s wait. I’m sure that, at some point, the number of captives will be zero. Everyone will return, including the former leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh,” he said.
Simonyan stated that the Armenian government is doing everything within its power to ensure the unconditional return of all captives.
According to Azerbaijani media, prosecutors have requested life sentences for former Nagorno-Karabakh President Arayik Harutyunyan, ex-Foreign Minister Davit Babayan, former Defense Army Commander Levon Mnatsakanyan, Deputy Commander Davit Manukyan, and former National Assembly Speaker Davit Ishkhanyan.
Prosecutors are also seeking 20-year sentences for former presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan, as well as Madat Babayan and Pashayyan Melikset. Other requested sentences include 19 years for Garik Martirosyan, 18 years for Davit Alaverdyan, 17 years for Levon Babayan, and 16 years for Vasil Beglaryan, Gurgen Stepanyan, and Edik Ghazaryan.
