Armenia Ombudsman tells politicians to stop manipulating issue of PoWsJune 9, 2021 - 14:52 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Speculations on the return of Armenian captives illegally being held in Azerbaijan during the election campaign are unacceptable, Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan said in a statement on Wednesday, July 9. Tatoyan's comments came amid growing tensions in Armenian politics, as acting Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and ex-President Serzh Sargsyan traded insults over the country's failure to have Azerbaijan release the prisoners of war and other detainees. Sargsyan offered Pashinyan to exchange his son for the captives, maintaining that only then would Pashinyan be dealing with the issue of the return of Armenian prisoners of war on a daily basis. Pashinyan responded that he is ready to exchange his son Ashot for all the Armenians captured by Azerbaijan during and after the end of the war in Nagorno-Karabakh. The Human Rights Defender slammed conversations about exchanging prisoners of war with other people. "Obviously, no such thing can happen, and speculations only increase the tension in the country, make the return of the captives more difficult, thus simply raising the "price" for the release of the captives by the Azerbaijani authorities," Tatoyan said. "And, of course, it is overtly disrespectful to the captives and their families, and their feelings. Therefore, I demand everyone completely stop manipulating the return of the PoWs." Top stories The number of state universities will be reduced from 23 to 8 by 2030, Minister of Education, Science, Culture and Sport Zhanna Andreasyan has said. From September 21 to November 11, a total of 2,820 Russians registered at a place of residence in Armenia, the police has said. The situation on the contact line between Karabakh and Azerbaijan was relatively stable overnight, the Defense Army says. Defense Minister Suren Papikyan has visited the southern Armenian province of Syunik, the Defense Ministry reported on March 18. Partner news | European Parliament to discuss repression in Azerbaijan The European Parliament will discuss repression of civil society in Azerbaijan on April 24 PACE wants concessions from Azerbaijan to accept Baku back A PACE co-rapporteur said that Azerbaijani authorities must make certain concessions so that the country can return to PACE. Cyprus parliament honors Armenian genocide victims Acting House President Zacharias Koulias noted that April 24 marks the “black anniversary” of the Armenian genocide. Armenia PM, France envoy discuss regional matters Issues related to the consistent development of Armenia-France cooperation were discussed. |