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The opposition Hayastan and Pativ Unem factions have initiated an emergency parliament debate on a draft statement calling for the release of Armenian prisoners illegally held in Azerbaijan.

The debate is expected to be held on November 12, Hayastan MP and ARF Armenia chair Ishkhan Saghatelyan told reporters on Thursday.

He highlighted the calls from many governments, parliamentarians and international human rights groups for Azerbaijan to release Armenian prisoners of war and hostages.

The lawmaker insisted that Armenia’s participation in COP29 in Baku should be made conditional on the release of Armenian prisoners.

“If Azerbaijan fulfills this demand and Armenian officials attend the summit, they must also raise all other issues, including the Azerbaijani aggression and ethnic cleansing of Artsakh, as well as the seizure of sovereign Armenian territories by Azeri troops,” Saghatelyan underscored.

“Otherwise, Armenia’s participation in COP29 would once again legitimize Azerbaijan’s aggression, ethnic cleansing of Artsakh and illegal detention of Armenian prisoners in Baku. The Armenian authorities would again be complicit in Azerbaijan’s crimes,” the deputy added.