Who Are the Prisoners of War Returning to Armenia

In the coming hours, 15 Armenian prisoners of war will return home from Baku. They will be accompanied by the commander of the peacekeeping forces in Artsakh, General Rustam Muradov.

On July 3, 2021, at the initiative of the Russian Federation, Armenia handed over the maps of approximately 92,000 anti-tank and anti-personnel mines around the districts of Varanda (Fizuli) and Kovsakan (Zangelan) to the Azerbaijani side. This information was reported by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs.

“We express our gratitude to Rustam Muradov, the commander of the Russian peacekeeping forces temporarily stationed in Azerbaijani territory, for his mediating mission in implementing the humanitarian initiative for obtaining the mine maps,” the announcement stated.

The statement also mentioned that as a humanitarian gesture, the Azerbaijani side returned to Armenia 15 individuals sentenced to imprisonment, whose terms had expired. Among those returning are 12 Armenian servicemen who were captured in Khtsaberd following the 2020 war. They were sentenced to six months in prison on fabricated charges of supposedly “violating the state border of Azerbaijan.” This was reported by Yerevan Media NGO.

It is noted that the issue of the immediate and unconditional return of prisoners of war was included in the capitulation statement of November 9, 2020. However, Azerbaijan continues to fail to fulfill its obligations, particularly regarding the return of prisoners, while the Armenian side continues to make concessions.

Furthermore, to this day, over 100 Azerbaijani soldiers continue to be present in our country’s territory, in the border areas of Syunik, Gegharkunik, and Vayots Dzor regions.