Monday, September 14 2026 11:34
Alexandr Avanesov

A lawmaker from the opposition Strong Armenia faction staged an unusual protest in parliament

A lawmaker from the opposition Strong Armenia faction staged an unusual protest in parliament

ArmInfo. An unusual action was carried out during the plenary session of the RA National Assembly by MP from the opposition “Strong Armenia” faction Syuzanna Avetisyan, who is celebrating her birthday today.

In response to congratulations from the Speaker of the National Assembly and her colleagues, the deputy stood up from her seat, holding up a photograph of former Artsakh Defense Minister Levon Mnatsakanyan, who is being held in a Baku prison. The photograph states that the general is also celebrating his birthday today. The opposition MP also put on a T-shirt featuring images of all the prisoners being held in Azerbaijan.

It should be noted that the exact number of Armenian prisoners of war  and hostages held in Azerbaijani prisons remains unknown. Experts estimate that there are several hundred of them. Today, the Azerbaijani authorities confirm that they are holding 19 Armenians. Among those held in Azerbaijani captivity are 8 former and current representatives of Artsakh’s military and political leadership. These include former Artsakh presidents Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Arayik Harutyunyan, former Foreign Minister David Babayan, as well as parliament speaker David Ishkhanyan, former commander of the Artsakh Defense Army, General Levon Mnatsakanyan, General David Manukyan, and former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan. In February, the Baku puppet court, based on fabricated charges, sentenced Arayik Harutyunyan, David Babayan, David Ishkhanyan, David Manukyan, and Levon Mnatsakanyan to life imprisonment, while Bako Sahakyan, Arkady Ghukasyan, and Ruben Vardanyan were sentenced to 20 years in prison.  The so-called court sentenced the other Artsakh Armenians to up to 15 years in prison. 

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