Armenian Delegate in Baku Says POW Issue Raised: “We Are Being Heard, but No Action Yet”

Member of the Armenian civil society delegation visiting Azerbaijan, Boris Navasardian, responded to The Armenian Report’s questions about safety concerns and the possibility of raising the issue of Armenian captives during the group’s visit to Baku.

Navasardian explained that this is not his first time traveling to Azerbaijan. "Over the past 26 years, this is my fifth visit to Baku, including visits during much more tense times." He said that throughout these past visits, including periods of far higher tension, he continued his work without allowing safety concerns to prevent him from going.

According to him, security was not his primary worry during this trip. "I thought about security only secondarily, because I valued very much the work for which I was traveling." He added that the Azerbaijani authorities handled the security arrangements for the delegation. "Naturally, the Azerbaijani authorities have taken care of our security, because without that, Armenians would not be allowed to enter the country."

Navasardian also addressed the issue of Armenian captives held in Azerbaijani prisons, which remains a major concern for the Armenian public and international observers. He said that the delegation has raised this matter repeatedly. "We have raised the issue of prisoners at all possible levels. We are being heard, but so far there has been no practical progress, neither in meeting them nor in releasing them."

However, he emphasized that they have not lost hope. "In any case, we have not given up our hopes yet."

The Armenian civil society delegation is currently in Baku for discussions with Azerbaijani experts as part of an effort to continue dialogue following recent government-supported initiatives.Member of the Armenian civil society delegation visiting Azerbaijan, Boris Navasardian, responded to The Armenian Report’s questions about safety concerns and the possibility of raising the issue of Armenian captives during the group’s visit to Baku.

Navasardian explained that this is not his first time traveling to Azerbaijan. "Over the past 26 years, this is my fifth visit to Baku, including visits during much more tense times." He said that throughout these past visits, including periods of far higher tension, he continued his work without allowing safety concerns to prevent him from going.

According to him, security was not his primary worry during this trip. "I thought about security only secondarily, because I valued very much the work for which I was traveling." He added that the Azerbaijani authorities handled the security arrangements for the delegation. "Naturally, the Azerbaijani authorities have taken care of our security, because without that, Armenians would not be allowed to enter the country."

Navasardian also addressed the issue of Armenian captives held in Azerbaijani prisons, which remains a major concern for the Armenian public and international observers. He said that the delegation has raised this matter repeatedly. "We have raised the issue of prisoners at all possible levels. We are being heard, but so far there has been no practical progress, neither in meeting them nor in releasing them."

However, he emphasized that they have not lost hope. "In any case, we have not given up our hopes yet."

The Armenian civil society delegation is currently in Baku for discussions with Azerbaijani experts as part of an effort to continue dialogue following recent government-supported initiatives.

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