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On December 22, the press conference of the NA deputies Nazeli Baghdasaryan and Sofia Hovsepyan took place, during which the legislators presented details on their visit to Artsakh.

They touched upon the information spread on the previous days that a group of people were in blockade in Hin/Old Shen and Mets/Great Shen of Shushi Region, and another group being Khtsaberd was held captivity. The MPs left for Artsakh to get familiarized with the situation on the spot on December 17.

Nazeli Baghdasaryan noted that they met with the President of Artsakh, the Secretary of the Security Council, other departments, including the Commanders of the Defense Army, talked with the Human Rights Defender, discussed the problems of abovementioned parts, As a result of all this, it was possible to carry out shift in Hin Shen and Mets Shen. Nazeli Baghdasaryan underlined that late at night, having certain agreement with the Defense Army, they reached the part of disputable positions through Lisagor and met with 72 volunteers, who were from Shirak Marz. The legislators were convinced that the citizens were safe, and after that, they saw off the latter to Shirak Marz.

The rapporteur underscored that an attempt was made through different media to give political nuance to this process, speculate different people’s names. She urged not to politicize the issues concerning the army. As the MP has assured today it is a great problem to concentrate and make controllable the issues on security.

Sofia Hovsepyan particularly spoke about the fact of 62 military being held in captive from Khtsaberd from fighting positions. It was noted that they met with the responsible departments, also with the Russian side, the complete problem was presented and the list with the names of those held in captivity was transferred. At the meeting, the relatives of the persons in captivity also took part. The MP noted that the term of the return of the POWs was not mentioned conditioned by security. The Commander of the RF Peacekeeping Armed Forces Rustam Muradov has assured that there is no danger to POWs’ life and health.

The  MPs also met with the Minister of Labor and Social Affairs of the Artsakh Republic Mane Tandilyan, discussed a number of problems facing the Artsakh Armenians, According to Sofia Hovsepyan, united support is necessary for the complex solution of the problems.

Besides, the NA deputy Nazeli Baghdasaryan has documented that the cooperation between the authorities of Armenia and Artsakh will be continuous, for which there is sufficient political will.

Regarding those held in captivity, she has assured that the process is transparent, and no information will be hidden from the parents. She has recorded that at this moment there are no specified lists and names.

During the meeting, those lists have been transferred to General Muradov, and specifications on names will be in the coming days. The MP has noted that names and lists are in circulation on the internet, which, according to her, can harm the process.

The MPs noted that they were also in touch with the human rights activists, being engaged with this case, the Human Rights Defenders of Armenia and Artsakh. They also touched upon the covering of this theme, noting that we should be cautious stemming from security reasons.

The MPs answered the journalists’ questions.