Relative of Soldier from Tsori D-20 Division Responds to Claims of Fundraising for Repatriation of Remains

On November 2, Azerbaijan transferred the remains of 11 Armenian servicemen, who had been considered missing for more than a year and two months as a result of the 44-day war, to the Armenian side. Today, information spread on social media claiming that the parents of the fallen soldiers found a "mediator abroad to collect money for the transfer of their sons' remains to Armenia." In an interview with "Factinfo," a relative of one of the servicemen from the Tsori D-20 artillery division described these speculations as distasteful.

“Today the parents learned of the Facebook post and were surprised. I reached out to the person who shared this information, pointing out that this issue should not be exploited, especially since we, as parents, know that there has been no financial issue. We were simply helped by people who were concerned and showed compassion towards us. It is disgraceful to speak about this, not only regarding us but also towards those who selflessly assisted us in retrieving the remains of our children,” the serviceman's relative stated.

The relative also informed that the search efforts for the servicemen involved the National Security Service of Armenia, the State Emergency Service of Artsakh, as well as Russian peacekeepers. “We have applied everywhere. On October 20, we met with the Russian peacekeepers and had a meeting with General Egorov. We requested that we have video evidence showing there are bodies, but after several attempts to enter the area, we were unable to find our children. He assured us that he would provide support and suggested sending an official letter through the embassy to Shoigu, from which a note would be forwarded to the Azerbaijani NSS and Ministry of Defense,” the relative added.

“Now, I cannot specifically say which negotiations yielded results, but it is a fact that we worked together with the leadership of the Artsakh Ministry of Emergency Situations, the Russian peacekeepers, and the local NSS. Abazyan has conveyed the information we provided during negotiations multiple times, but we have results today, and once I clarify who to thank, we will express our gratitude. The parents are thankful to everyone who supported us, which allowed us to collectively receive the remains of our children,” the relative noted.

Earlier, it was reported that the remains of the servicemen from the Tsori D-20 division had been discovered. On November 2, with the escort of the Russian peacekeeping forces and after extensive negotiations, the Azerbaijani side transferred the remains of 11 individuals who were killed or considered missing during the third war in Artsakh to the Armenian side. The funerals for nine of them—Davit Levoni Azatyan, Hayk Hovnani Antonyan, Karen Boriki Danielyan, Artak Jivani Mikayelyan, Narek Armeni Ohanian, Vahe Artturi Papyan, Hayk Mhery Papikyan, Ruben Arsenyi Poghosyan, and Samvel Stepani Poghosyan—will take place on December 2 at 16:30 at the St. Gregory the Illuminator Cathedral in Yerevan, with military honors.