Parliament speaker says efforts underway to secure release of Armenian prisoners

Armenian National Assembly Speaker Alen Simonyan said on Tuesday that every effort must be made to prevent escalation between Armenia and Azerbaijan, stressing that Armenia has no territorial claims and remains committed to peace.

Responding to former Foreign Minister Vardan Oskanian’s call to suspend talks with Baku until Armenian prisoners are freed, Simonyan dismissed it as “provocative”. He noted that negotiations have already reduced the number of prisoners from 152 to 23, highlighting discreet diplomacy as the most effective approach.

Simonyan reaffirmed the government’s commitment to securing the release of all Armenian prisoners, including Artsakh’s former military and political leaders.

"They are our compatriots and efforts are underway for their repatriation," he told reporters.

"Everything must be done to secure Ruben Vardanyan's release. Even if he was sent from somewhere, it doesn’t change anything, he is our compatriot," the speaker added.