Yerevan Claims Three Conditions for Baku to Extradite Saboteurs

Baku/24.03.21/Turan: Representative of the interests of Armenian prisoners at the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) Siranush Sahakyan assured that Azerbaijan is considering the possibility of releasing the detainees if the authorities of Armenia and the unrecognized "Karabakh Republic" fulfill three conditions. Among them is the withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from the territory of Karabakh. Information about the start of such a process has been circulating since March 19, but then a denial by the Karabakh «administration» followed.

“Baku recognizes that 73 citizens (of Armenia) are (in captivity). And it does not recognize the presence of 120 prisoners, but the Armenian side has irrefutable facts of their capture,” said Siranush Sahakyan, a representative of the interests of Armenian prisoners at the ECHR, who was quoted by the Telegram channel Bagramyan 26 on Tuesday. According to her, "for the return of all prisoners, Baku puts forward three conditions: the withdrawal of Armenian armed forces from the territory of Karabakh, the cession of additional territories, for example, the village of Tigranashen (Kerki), and control over the Red Bazaar road leading to Shusha." “To solve these problems, Baku uses the factor of Armenian prisoners,” Sahakyan said. She noted that she received this information from several sources, including from some "pre-prepared draft documents."

The Russian newspaper Kommersant sent a request in this regard to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry. At the same time, with regard to the exchange of prisoners, Baku's position has long been known. The Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry on Tuesday reiterated to RIA Novosti that they had already transferred all the prisoners of war to the Armenian side, but those detained after the end of hostilities are not considered as such and will answer before the law.

“Persons sent to the territory of Azerbaijan by Armenia after signing the trilateral statement (on the night of November 10, 2020 - Kommersant) for carrying out terrorist and sabotage activities, in accordance with international humanitarian law, are not and cannot be considered prisoners of war. the detainees are held accountable in accordance with the Criminal Code of the Republic of Azerbaijan. They are treated in accordance with international law and the legislation of Azerbaijan,” the diplomats said.

Despite numerous phone calls to the Azerbaijani Foreign Ministry, Turan was unable to obtain the opinion of the Foreign Ministry's press service on the version of the Armenians regarding the three conditions of Azerbaijan for the extradition of saboteurs. --0—