Pashinyan Reveals Names of 15 Armenian Prisoners of War and Provides Details

During a meeting with residents in Gavarr, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan provided details regarding the return of 15 Armenian prisoners of war. He noted that they have crossed the border into Armenia and are now located in the Republic of Armenia.

“Two days ago, I had a meeting with the U.S. Deputy Secretary of State who said that they have a mission under the directive of Secretary of State Antony Blinken to achieve some breakthrough regarding the return of prisoners in the upcoming days. Naturally, I said that we are ready. Today, thanks to the efforts made, including those of the Prime Minister of Georgia, our Georgian brothers, and our partners from the European Union, our brothers came to Armenia. They will now be transferred for medical examination. We will definitely ensure a meeting with their relatives today,” said Nikol Pashinyan.

Pashinyan addressed the circulating reports in the media that maps of mined areas have been handed over to Azerbaijan. He emphasized that this is true, but it was not in exchange for prisoners; instead, they responded step by step. He drew attention to the fact that the co-chairs of the OSCE Minsk Group have emphasized the necessity of humanitarian demining.

“Since November 9, we have handed over a certain number of maps to Azerbaijan in conjunction with the return of prisoners. Over time, in a way that is incomprehensible to us, Azerbaijan stopped the return of our prisoners and turned to international forums, claiming that Armenia refuses to provide landmine maps. We have never refused. It is Azerbaijan that has halted the process of returning prisoners. Even under those conditions, when Sergey Lavrov visited Yerevan, I sent certain maps to Azerbaijan with Lavrov. We are ready to continue this process; we have set a goal to fully complete the return of our prisoners,” Pashinyan stated. He expressed gratitude to partners who contributed to the return of the prisoners.

Pashinyan disclosed the names of the Armenian prisoners of war who have returned to Armenia:

• Stepanyan Artur from Armavir region
• Elibekyan Gegham from Artashat
• Sedrakyan Aleksandr from Armavir
• Gasparyan Erik from Yerevan
• Babayan Sasha from Masis
• Andreasyan Artak from Echmiadzin
• Khachaturyan Erik from Masis
• Seroonyan Narek from Hrazdan region, Khagsi village
• Petrosyan Sasun from Artsakh
• Sargsyan Vruyr from Kotayk
• Budoyan Armen from Vardainis
• Ohanyan Boris from Alaverdi
• Abgaryan Artur from Armavir
• Zoskyan Davit from Armavir
• Hunanian Argam from Armavir

Pashinyan mentioned that among this group are four of the six young men who were recently captured from Vardenis, as well as individuals captured in the region of Khndzoresk, and others who became prisoners during the war.

“I can imagine the joy that exists in the families of those who have returned, but I can also imagine the sadness in those families that still have prisoners. A question arises as to why these particular individuals are returning. I cannot have preferred names because I cannot create distinctions among the citizens of the Republic of Armenia. I cannot provide names. I have said that it is unequivocal for us that our brothers should return. I make no distinction among anyone. The return of each one of them is important to me,” Pashinyan added.