Currently, There is No Judicial Ruling Demanding the Return of Armenian Prisoners of War from Azerbaijan: Siranush Sahakyan

Armenian prisoners of war are being held in Azerbaijan as hostages for the fulfillment of political demands. In a conversation with Sputnik Armenia, Siranush Sahakyan, the representative for the interests of Armenian prisoners of war in international organizations and president of the Center for International and Comparative Law, expressed this viewpoint.

“When there are tensions in political matters, the issue of repatriation is put on hold, and there are no actual movements. This reaffirms the approach that prisoners are being kept as hostages for the fulfillment of political demands, and as long as there is no progress on these demands, Azerbaijan does not take humanitarian steps. The return of specific groups of prisoners of war has typically followed certain concessions, which further confirms the reality that we are dealing with political bargaining, and the issue of prisoners of war is not on the international humanitarian agenda,” Sahakyan said.

“The European Court of Human Rights may address the issue of releasing Armenian prisoners of war in its final ruling, and at this stage, it is exclusively taking security measures to protect their lives and health, as well as ensuring the uninterrupted operation of the International Committee of the Red Cross and their connection with families,” the human rights defender added.

Recall that Baku currently confirms the capture of 33 individuals. However, official Yerevan asserts that their number is much higher. According to human rights defenders, 80 individuals are in Azerbaijani captivity.