The return to Armenia of all Armenian captives, arrested, and abducted in Azerbaijan should be one of the main issues on the agenda of the authorities of Armenia, former Armenian foreign minister Vartan Oskanian wrote on Facebook. He added as follows:

"Azerbaijan's accusations against [Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) former minister of state] Ruben Vardanyan are fabricated. Azerbaijan does not have any legal basis to keep him.

"The same applies to [Advisor to the President and former Minister of Foreign Affairs of Artsakh] David Babayan and others who may have a similar fate.

“Ruben Vardanyan is a citizen of the Republic of Armenia. He was there [in Artsakh] to stand with his people and defend their right to self-determination.

"David Babayan is from Artsakh by birth, he also was fighting to defend the land his ancestors left him as a legacy and to live freely there.

"The authorities of Armenia should make every effort, including interruption of talks [with Azerbaijan], to ensure their release. In return for the great gift given to Azerbaijan, the authorities of Armenia should at least demand the return of these people.

"The [Armenian] diaspora also should make this issue an agenda item.

"And the international community should definitely demand from Azerbaijan to refrain from such persecutions.”