‘It Is Kept Secret’: 'My Step' MP Discusses Lavrov's Statement on Prisoners

‘Jamanak’ has spoken to Karen Sarukhanyan, a member of the ‘My Step’ parliamentary faction, who assures that the issue of prisoners is the number one problem for Gyumri, Shirak, and Armenia after the war.

“After the war, have you spoken in Gyumri, talked to the residents about how they feel regarding the government?”

The people of Gyumri and those I communicate with tell me the opposite – that under no circumstances should our political team and the Prime Minister resign, and that there shouldn’t even be discussions about resignation. Otherwise, they will consider the Prime Minister as betraying them. I must say that the current government has quite a large respect and sympathy in Gyumri.

“Even after such a war outcome?”

“Yes, after the war outcome today, Gyumri, Shirak province, and the Republic of Armenia have the number one problem: it is the issue of prisoners. It is the matter of prisoners and missing persons that we have repeatedly addressed. As you are aware, 62 of the prisoners are from Shirak province, and we must do everything possible for the boys to return home as soon as possible.”

“Azerbaijan has labeled the prisoners as terrorists and imprisoned them. According to them, the boys are not prisoners but people who tried to carry out military operations after the war. What are you doing in this regard?”

“I don’t want to comment on Azerbaijan’s characterization. In any case, our Prime Minister has raised this issue and brought it up on the highest platform. But, unfortunately, negotiations have not reached a final result at this stage; however, they continue, including with Russia’s involvement.”

“According to Lavrov, we have not presented a clear list. Why is that?”

“That is kept secret. We provided a commentary from our end. As a result of the trilateral negotiations, the boys should return home as soon as possible.”