Video: State Position Discussed by Simonian Regarding Scandalous Recording on Prisoners

All military personnel who have laid down their arms and surrendered will face criminal prosecution. This was stated today by the President of the Armenian National Assembly, Alen Simonian, in response to journalists' questions regarding his controversial remarks.

"Those individuals who did not fulfill their service duties, did not hold their positions, and have been taken captive. I also see that the term 'hero' has been devalued today due to the application of equal scales toward everyone. There are many hero boys in the Armenian army, they are our pride, but unfortunately, there are soldiers and officers who have not fulfilled their duties and have ended up in captivity," Simonian remarked, commenting on a video that surfaced online where he stated that those prisoners who laid down their arms 'are no longer here.'

"It is normal, when you are defending the border with your weapon in hand, and you put the weapon down, that you are subject to criminal liability," Simonian stated, adding that this law applies both in Armenia and in other countries around the world.

Regarding his statement in the video that for him 'those prisoners are no longer here,' Simonian declared that the video has been edited and his words have been taken out of context. "It refers to the state's position in negotiations, in various situations," Simonian said.

Commenting on the filming that took place, Simonian noted that he is very saddened when compatriots present themselves as supporters, ask him a few questions, and then he notices that he is being secretly filmed. "There was a girl, her name, if I'm not mistaken, was Hasmik, during the conversation I noticed that she was holding her phone like this and filming, I said, please do not film, because we are having a conversation that I do not want to be made public. She said, no, no, what are you saying, I am not filming. I don't want to say what that is," Simonian said.

The Speaker of the National Assembly also stated that such situations are used to undermine the interests of Armenia and are subject to accountability. Simonian also denied rumors that during the last large-scale attack in Syunik, the Armenian army was instructed not to fire. "There has been no case where our army has requested something and our government has not satisfied that; there is no place where our soldiers do not have weapons and do not have all the necessary supplies," Simonian stated.

It should be noted that a secret recording featuring Alen Simonian has surfaced online, where the President of the National Assembly states that the parents of the prisoners also know that their sons have committed desertion.