YEREVAN. – Head of ARF Dashnaktsutyun group Armen Rustamyan called on Assistance Secretary of State Victoria Nuland not to at least distort facts in connection with the case of Azerbaijani saboteurs.

He commented on the remark made by Victoria Nuland in Baky where she said “Azerbaijani hostages” must be returned to Azerbaijan.

Rustamyan noted that the Armenian foreign office had made a number of successful moves to counteract Azerbaijani propaganda, but it would be useful to unite efforts with the lawmakers. The world community must realize that Nagorno-Karabakh is “not a non-existing state” with “non-existing” court, but a de facto recognized country. And if a crime is committed there, the request on returning the criminals must be sent to this state.

“Mediators need first to appeal to Azerbaijan and acknowledge publicly that the people convicted in Karabakh are criminals. And let Madame Nuland at least not to try to distort the truth claiming that “a humane act' [ return of the saboteurs – ed.] can be carried out within the exchange of captives and will strengthen our positions. This is another case, they are not POWs. But this must be presented to the public in a right way. I offer to unite efforts and use the parliamentary platform,” Rustamyan said.