Video: Send Ashotik to Baku, Return Our Prisoners of War, Says Family of Missing Soldier

Relatives of captured and missing servicemen gathered near the entrance of the parliament, sharing that they met with a ruling party member who aligns with the government’s stance, notably refusing to criticize his colleague, Alen Simonyan.

According to the relatives, the ruling party's statements became grounds for the Azerbaijani media to exploit the issue of the captured soldiers. They claim Simonyan is out of touch with the situation and did not anticipate the backlash that followed his remarks.

“Our clear demand is to come forward before the people, provide an explanation, and have the decency to admit, ‘I may have been a little inebriated, I made a foolish statement, I apologize, I made a mistake,’” said a relative of one of the servicemen.

The family members noted that for over a year, parents have been waiting in uncertainty, hoping to resolve their issues while simultaneously knowing their sons are waiting to return home in Baku.

“Our children are suffering on concrete, enduring hardships; what decisions are you making? We have a demand. If they are going to negotiate, let it be that we bring back 10 prisoners. Syunik gives away so that any of our boys can be heroes; they went for the land and their homeland. You cannot simply make whimsical decisions and carry out your business plans while cooperating with the enemy,” they asserted.

When reminded that Prime Minister Pashinyan has ordered the troops to pull back and not to fire, the relatives recalled previous statements made by Pashinyan.

“The Prime Minister also states he is ready to send his son, Ashotik. Now he has the opportunity. He is also trying to buy time; let him send Ashotik to Baku; they will treat his son properly and won’t torture him as the son of a state official—he will return our prisoners of war and the missing,” said a relative.

They also insisted that a new car costing 90 million is being purchased for the Speaker of the National Assembly while positions remain unfortified.

It should be noted that for the second consecutive day, relatives of captured, killed, and missing servicemen have gathered near the Parliament entrance following a video that emerged featuring Alen Simonyan.