Armenian politician to U.S. Sec of State: Successful implementation  of TRIPP project only possible with withdrawal of Azerbaijani forces  from Armenian territory and return of Armenians from Baku

ArmInfo.For the successful implementation of the "Trump route" (TRIPP) project, it is necessary for Azerbaijan to withdraw its armed forces from the sovereign territory of Armenia and release illegally held Armenian prisoners of  war. Arman Tatoyan, prime ministerial candidate for the Wings of Unity party, made this public appeal to US Secretary of State Marco Rubio in connection with the American official's upcoming visit to Yerevan today.

"I would like to congratulate you on the upcoming signing of the  Trump Triangle Pipeline (TRIPP) agreement between Armenia and the  United States. I fully support the TRIPP agreement and, as Prime  Minister of Armenia, I stand ready to work closely with your  administration to ensure its full and effective implementation,"  Tatoyan said in an open letter to Rubio, published on his Facebook  page.

However, first, the party leader urged Rubio to address a number of  important issues of importance to Armenian citizens. "US President  Donald Trump called 46th US President Joe Biden 'sad, weak, and  stupid,' and I attribute these same words to Armenian Prime Minister  Nikol Pashinyan, who is too 'sad, weak, and stupid' to raise these  important issues with you in a meeting. The reality is that for the  TRIPP project to be successfully implemented, Azerbaijan must  withdraw its forces from sovereign Armenian territory and release the  illegally held Armenian prisoners of war. I am confident that working  with you will help establish long-term peace in our region," the  politician concluded.

As a reminder, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio will arrive in  Armenia on May 26. During the visit, Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan  and Rubio will meet, after which the ministers will deliver a press  statement.

The exact number of Armenian prisoners of war and hostages held in  Azerbaijani prisons is still unknown.  Experts estimate the number to  be several hundred. Today, Azerbaijani authorities 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 include former  Artsakh presidents Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and 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.

In February, a Baku puppet court sentenced Arayik Harutyunyan, David  Babayan, David Ishkhanyan, David Manukyan, and Levon Mnatsakanyan to  life imprisonment, and Bako Sahakyan, Arkady Ghukasyan, and Ruben  Vardanyan to 20 years in prison on trumped-up charges. The so-called  court sentenced the remaining Artsakh residents to up to 15 years in  prison.