31 Armenian Soldiers Have Been in Captivity for Nearly Two Weeks, Yet the Red Cross Has Not Visited Them in Baku

The Armenian soldiers captured following Azerbaijan's aggression against the sovereign territory of Armenia on November 16 remain without international monitoring and protection. Zara Amatuni, spokesperson for the Armenian office of the Red Cross, informed "Factinfo" that no meeting has taken place with the newly captured individuals.

It is important to note that approximately two weeks have passed since Azerbaijan’s aggression on the eastern border of Armenia, resulting in the reported capture of 31 soldiers, according to official sources. On November 16, following the aggression, the Armenian Ministry of Defense reported 13 captured and 24 missing soldiers. However, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan later indicated during an online press conference that the 24 soldiers presumed missing due to Azerbaijan's aggression in Syunik had in fact been captured.

“According to unverified data, a larger number of soldiers have been captured. Some of those we think are deceased are reportedly captured, based on unverified information. We have confirmed 6 casualties, and we have 24+8 captured, but these numbers require final confirmation,” the Prime Minister stated on November 23.

On November 26, it was revealed that one of the captured individuals, who was also severely injured, had been returned. Therefore, we can assume that there are currently 31 persons in captivity.

Baku is in no rush to officially confirm the identities of those in captivity, as this would allow the Red Cross the opportunity to visit them, thereby providing the soldiers with some degree of inviolability.

Zara Amatuni has stated that they are currently in contact with the relevant authorities. Confidential discussions are ongoing with both sides. “The situation remains the same. We continue to stay in touch with the relevant authorities, but we have no further news. We are in touch with the families. It is important that we obtain information from the families, but we cannot comment on how the authorities will respond,” Amatuni noted, adding that they cannot share information on the number of parents seeking information.