They Tried to Publicize This Topic, but It Backfired: Marukyan

Until now, there has been no official information that prisoners are being handed over to us; there has only been gossip or expectations. This was stated today, on April 9, during a conversation with journalists in the National Assembly by Edmon Marukyan, the leader of the 'Enlightened Armenia' parliamentary faction.

“Such information has been circulating for about a month that a batch of prisoners might be returned to us, but so far there has been no resolution. Yesterday, media outlets affiliated with the government began to talk about this, trying to publicize it, which ultimately backfired,” he said.

According to Marukyan, when the plane leaves from there, Armenian services already know how many people are coming. “If they knew that there were no such transfers— and I am confident they did—providing this kind of information and putting our public in a state of stress like this ... is insulting. This is the result of yet another sloppy, incompetent behavior, which also coincides with trying to publicize a tragedy. They attempted to publicize over the tragedy, but it did not work,” he noted.

Regarding the information that the public's attention is being diverted so that a delegation can come and discussions can take place about the road passing through Megrig, Marukyan stated that he has no such information. “There is no issue to resolve in Meghri. There is no issue to resolve anywhere in Armenia; we should not give room to such news. If by some hypothetical process this happens, we must not allow it. But I do not see such a thing happening. What issue regarding Meghri should there be? If it is about opening borders, let them open; we have not closed them. There is no other issue to discuss.

We need a government that can stand tall. If you have made an agreement that has not been fulfilled, make a statement about it. Speaking in this half-timid state is wrong.”