Armenia Hands Over One Prisoner to Azerbaijan in Exchange for Five Armenian Captives

Armenia has handed over one prisoner to Azerbaijan, while five Armenian captives have returned to Yerevan from Baku. This information was reported by TASS, referencing the commander of the Russian peacekeeping forces, Lieutenant General Rustam Muradov.

“As a result of the work carried out by the Russian peacekeepers under my personal supervision, a Russian plane has transported one detainee from Yerevan to Baku, while five detainees have returned to Yerevan,” said Muradov.

It is noteworthy that the five returning captives are part of a group of 62 servicemen from the Shirak region. Their names are Edik Harutyunyan, Seyran Matevosyan, Karen Vardanyan, Armen Nazramadyan, and Ashot Varosyan.

It is also important to mention that criminal cases have been initiated against the 62 servicemen in Azerbaijan. According to Avagian, these criminal charges have complicated the process of returning the servicemen, but the fact that the first group has already arrived in Armenia signifies that the process is progressing.

Recall that on December 16, 2020, it became known that 62 servicemen were captured from several combat positions located in the Hin Tagher and Khtsaberd areas of Hadrut, all from the Shirak region. Today, five of them returned home, while three have spoken with their parents over the phone.