Speaker confident all Armenian captives in Azerbaijan will be repatriated

Speaker of Parliament Alen Simonyan, a senior member of the ruling Civil Contract Party, reiterated that the Armenian authorities are making efforts to secure the release of Armenian detainees and captives held in Azerbaijan and to address the issue of missing persons.

"Always keep in mind that those two points will remain in place until the issue is resolved, and I see a tendency toward a positive resolution," Simonyan told reporters during a press briefing on the sidelines of a Human Rights Day event.

He said the Armenian authorities are raising these issues in discussions with Azerbaijani officials, other foreign officials and diplomats, and international organizations.

The Speaker added that reactions from international organizations on the topic show that Armenia’s demand for the release of captives, POWs, and detainees is legitimate.

"I rule out the possibility that any legitimate discussion would receive a negative response. We just need to exercise a little more patience. Just as our other brothers and friends have returned, I am confident that one day all those who are there will return to the Republic of Armenia," Simonyan said.

Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has repeatedly stated that his administration is carrying out daily efforts to secure the release of all Armenian detainees and captives held in Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan officially acknowledges holding 23 Armenian prisoners, including former Karabakh officials.