Only specific sanctions can compel Aliyev to initiate any process regarding captives, otherwise they will judge the boys: Naira Zohrabyan

If Azerbaijan intends to return our boys, these verdicts cannot be serious impediments. Naira Zohrabyan, an MP, stated this in an interview with Tert.am, commenting on the judicial proceedings against 14 Armenian servicemen in Baku.

She recalled that criminals sentenced to life imprisonment in Armenia were returned to Azerbaijan after the war.

Zohrabyan noted that Azerbaijan's court for serious crimes is examining the issues of our servicemen under accelerated procedures and has brought charges against them, demanding sentences of 14 to 20 years of imprisonment.

She revealed that she had meetings in Strasbourg on the issues concerning our servicemen, including discussions with the head of the Azerbaijani delegation, who repeatedly emphasized that dialogue with Armenia regarding captives could happen only if Armenia recognizes Azerbaijan's territorial integrity, including 75% of Artsakh, and that all minefield maps must be returned.

"What is happening in Baku's court is merely a tool of political pressure on Armenia. I believe the international community has a role here, and I have called on the international community in all meetings and speeches to stop toothless appeals and resolutions that, as reality shows, have no response or influence on Azerbaijan. International organizations have clear sanctions that they actively apply, such as in the cases of Russia and Belarus when needed. I have suggested freezing the bank accounts of Aliyev, his family, and the Azerbaijani political elite in Europe, and I have proposed suspending the Azerbaijani delegation's powers in the PACE until the last prisoner is returned," she said, adding that several European MPs have supported her proposal.

"Only specific sanctions can compel Aliyev to initiate any process regarding this issue, otherwise they will judge the boys. For Azerbaijan, our servicemen are the greatest political currency, and as long as Azerbaijan has certain expectations to squeeze out of Armenia—be it enclaves or demanding recognition of Azerbaijan's territorial integrity—they will exploit and keep the issue of our servicemen. Everything here depends on Russia and the international organizations that can impose specific sanctions, and if they do, I believe it will be possible to bring Azerbaijan to at least some dialogue; otherwise, we will have daily follow-up trials," she stated, noting that international values have been adjusted to political interests in recent years.