I Know Specific Cases Where Armenian Captives Were Killed by Azerbaijani Armed Forces - Artak Beglaryan

I know specific cases of Armenian captives who were killed by Azerbaijani armed forces, both in officially confirmed captivity and unofficially confirmed captivity. This was stated today by Artak Beglaryan, the head of the office of the President of Artsakh, in an interview with ArmDaily.am.

He noted that there have also been cases of killings in prisons. “There is a well-known case regarding Arsen Garakhanian. His father had information, there were various testimonies that he was a captive, but in January, a few days later, his dead body was returned by the Armenian side. Similarly, there are cases like that of Edik Shahgeldyan and Misha Melkonyan, and there are several cases, and unfortunately, I am convinced that there have been many similar cases as well,” he added.

Commenting on the connection between the well-known incidents in Syunik and the provocations by Azerbaijani armed forces in Artsakh on the same day, Beglaryan stated, “I cannot categorically present or assert that there is such a connection, but the fact that the Azerbaijani side claims that there is a connection is clear. They aim to keep the internal public sentiments in Armenia and Artsakh constantly unstable, as it is not in their interest to have a stable, developing, and powerful Armenia and Artsakh, which Aliyev has openly stated.”

When asked what Aliyev's statements are aimed at, whether they are precautionary moves regarding a new war or aimed at inciting tensions within Armenia, he replied, “Both.” In response to the observation that this means we should also be prepared for a new war, he responded, “I cannot make definite predictions, but the fact that Azerbaijan does not desire peace, does not seek cooperation, and continuously provokes is evident. This means that our only path is to strengthen and develop in the long term to achieve sustainable peace in the region.”