Opposition MP challenges peace rhetoric as last Armenians leave Artsakh

An Armenian opposition lawmaker has criticized what he described as “romanticized” rhetoric between Armenian and Azerbaijani authorities, pointing to the continued detention of Armenians in Azerbaijan and the departure of the last ethnic Armenians from Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh).

In a social media post on Saturday, Tigran Abrahamyan, secretary of the Pativ Unem faction, said that official figures list 19 Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan, but human rights groups estimate the number to be between 70 and 80 following the 2020 war.

“If new bridges of ‘love’ are being built between Armenia and Azerbaijan, then how is it that the last Armenians remaining in Artsakh have decided to relocate to Armenia?” Abrahamyan wrote, stressing that despite promises of peace, Armenians remain imprisoned in Baku and those left in Nagorno-Karabakh after its seizure by Azerbaijan are being forced to leave their homes.

Abrahamyan also questioned why the issue of collective return for displaced Artsakh Armenians remains a “taboo” for both governments. “Freedom to all Armenians imprisoned in Baku,” he added.