


ArmInfo. Frank Murad Papazian, co-chair of the Coordinating Council of Armenian Organizations in France, announced that the French National Assembly unanimously voted to release the Armenian hostages held in Azerbaijan.
"The National Assembly unanimously voted to release the Armenian hostages held in Azerbaijan! We have reduced Azerbaijan's influence in France to zero," Papazian wrote on his Facebook page.
The exact number of Armenian prisoners of war and hostages held in Azerbaijani prisons remains unknown. Experts estimate the number to be several hundred. Azerbaijani authorities currently confirm the presence of 19 Armenians in their custody. Among those held in Azerbaijani captivity are eight former and current members of the military-political leadership of Artsakh. These are former presidents of Artsakh Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Arayik Harutyunyan, former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan, as well as parliament speaker Davit Ishkhanyan, former commander of the Artsakh Defense Army, General Levon Mnatsakanyan, General David Manukyan and former state minister Ruben Vardanyan.



