MEPs could hold urgent debates on Armenian POWs unlawfully held in Azerbaijan

Members of the European Parliament could initiate urgent debates regarding the alarming reports of torture and ill-treatment of Armenian POWs and other captives unlawfully held in Azerbaijan, a diplomatic source in Brussels told Armenpress.

The source told Armenpress that discussions are currently taking place as to a possible reaction to the issue during the upcoming plenary session of the European Parliament. Emergency debates and adoption of a resolution over the issue could take place.

Azerbaijan has officially acknowledged that it is holding 23 Armenian prisoners despite an obligation to release all POWs and detainees.

The detainees include former top officials of Artsakh, such as former presidents Arayik Harutyunyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, and Bako Sahakyan; former parliament speaker Davit Ishkhanyan; former defense army chief of staff Davit Manukyan; former foreign minister David Babayan; former defense minister Levon Mnatsakanyan; and former state minister Ruben Vardanyan, as well as civilians Vasil Beglaryan, Erik Ghazaryan, David Alaverdyan, Gurgen Stepanyan, Levon Balayan, Madat Babayan, Garik Martirosyan, and Melikset Pashayan.