The return of all Armenian captives, arrested and abducted
persons kept in Azerbaijan must be high on the agenda of the Armenian
authorities. Former Foreign Minister of Armenia Vardan Oskanyan wrote this.
“The charges that Azerbaijan has brought against Ruben
Vardayan are trumped-up. Azerbaijan has no valid grounds to keep him there.
The same holds true for Davit Babayan and the others, who
may meet a similar fate.
Ruben Vardanyan is an Armenian citizen. He was there in
Artsakh to be next to his people and to protect their right to self-determination.
Davit Babayan was born in Artsakh. He was also struggling to
protect the land left by his ancestors and to live a free life there.
The Armenian authorities must make every effort, including
suspension of the negotiation process, to secure their release. In return for
the generous gift brought to Azerbaijan, the Armenian authorities must at least
demand that these people be returned.
This issue should be on the diaspora’s agenda as well. As
for the international community, it should undoubtedly demand that Azerbaijan
refrain from such persecutions,” Oskanyan wrote.
