During a parliamentary briefing, Member of Parliament Lilit Galstyan expressed concern over what she described as fraudulent and politically motivated trials currently taking place in Baku against Armenians captured by the Azerbaijani armed forces, including former military and political leaders of Nagorno-Karabakh. According to Armenpress, Galstyan emphasized that Azerbaijan is seeking harsh sentences against several former officials. She stressed that the issue of captives must remain one of the highest priorities on Armenia’s political agenda.
Armenian Authorities Deny Captives to a “Disgraceful Degree,” Says MP Lilit Galstyan
YERKIR — MP Lilit Galstyan from the Hayastan faction has sharply criticized the Armenian government over its handling of Armenian captives held in Azerbaijan and the ongoing trials in Baku. Speaking during a parliamentary briefing, Galstyan described the trials as “fake” and politically driven, calling them the most painful blow after the loss of Artsakh.
“The next most painful slap after the loss of Artsakh—one we continue to live through—are the sham trials unfolding in Baku. Trials in which the military and political leadership of Artsakh, along with other detainees, are seated in the defendant’s chair, while Azerbaijan demands life sentences and 15–17 years of imprisonment. Meanwhile, here in Armenia, there is total rejection from the Armenian authorities—a disgraceful denial. Today in genocidal Azerbaijan, in genocidal Baku, military and political leaders are being oppressed and sentenced, people who also stood for Armenia’s independence and security,” Galstyan said.
She stressed that there have been zero results regarding the return of captives and criticized the ruling political majority for publicly stating that their agenda lies elsewhere. Galstyan recalled that during the recent Euronest Parliamentary Assembly session in Yerevan, ruling Civil Contract MPs voted against a resolution proposed by the opposition that included demands for the immediate release of Armenian captives. She also noted that at the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly in Portugal, lawmakers from the ruling party refused to support another resolution she presented, sending what she called a clear signal to the international community that the fate of Artsakh’s political leadership and Armenian captives is not a political priority for Armenia.
“It is difficult to imagine behavior more immoral from Armenia’s political leadership—after the betrayal of Artsakh,” Galstyan concluded.