I Consider This a Mistake: Movses Hakobyan on the Decision to Exchange Maps of Minefields for Prisoners

“Congratulations,” said General-Major Movses Hakobyan, former Chief of the General Staff of the Armenian Armed Forces, in response to ArmDaily.am’s question about his views on the post-war influx of heroes and ranks in Armenia, specifically regarding the awarding of the General-Major title to the Director of the NSS and the Chief of Police.

Regarding the decision to exchange maps of minefields in return for prisoners, Hakobyan considers it a wrong decision. “I consider this a mistake. The exchange of prisoners is one of the points of the agreement on the 9th, and nothing should be transferred in return for it. That is the reason,” he stated. He emphasizes that passing the maps of mined areas to Azerbaijan makes it easier for the enemy.

Addressing the recent trend of glorifying prisoners, he remarked, “I am saddened that a soldier who fought until the end to prevent the destruction of the homeland is equated with someone who dropped their weapon and surrendered without any reason—these are different individuals. Different countries have different ways of evaluating this; if they want, we can look at how the adversary, Azerbaijan, treats its prisoners,” said Movses Hakobyan. As for what this will lead to, the former Chief of Staff could not say.

When asked whether he thinks that Grigori Khachaturyan's dismissal could be a serious blow to the military, he stated that he is not the decision-maker; it is up to Khachaturyan to continue serving or to leave, and therefore he refrains from making any comments.