The Number of Casualties from the War is a Preliminary Investigation Secret, We Cannot Respond: Ministry of Health

The Armenian Ministry of Health considers the number of deaths among military personnel and civilians as a result of military operations to be a preliminary investigation secret. Moreover, the number of remains and corpses subject to DNA examination is also deemed a preliminary investigation secret.

On December 21, Factinfo submitted an inquiry to the ministry to ascertain how many bodies and remains are currently being held in forensic medical centers and how many identities remain unrecognized. Months ago, the Minister had announced that there are relatives whose bodies and remains’ DNA tests are not recognized. We asked how many relatives are currently refusing to accept the answers.

We also sought to find out how many bodies and remains of military personnel were examined during the 44-day war. How many have been identified? How many re-examinations were conducted? Additionally, for how many bodies and remains is it currently impossible to separate DNA? Have there been cases where bodies or remains underwent examination abroad for double DNA testing? We requested information on how many military personnel have been issued death certificates.

The Ministry of Health informed us that they cannot respond to the inquiry as it is considered a preliminary investigation secret. “Criminal cases have been initiated in the Investigative Committee of Armenia regarding the deaths of each soldier and civilian, as well as the preservation of remains due to the military actions in Armenia and the Republic of Artsakh, and therefore we are unable to provide information regarding the inquiries as they fall under legal confidentiality as per Article 8, Part 1, Clause 3 of the Law on Freedom of Information. Future inquiries regarding this information should be directed to the investigative body—the Investigative Committee of Armenia,” the Ministry of Health stated.

Furthermore, on the same day, December 21, Raphael Vardanian, Head of the Division for Particularly Important Cases of the Military Investigative Department of the Investigative Committee of Armenia, responded to a media outlet about the examinations of 108 fallen soldiers held at the Abovyan branch of the forensic medical expert center one year after the end of the 44-day Artsakh war in 2020. On December 27, the Investigative Committee informed Factinfo that the criminal case concerning the improper conditions in which the remains and corpses at the Abovyan branch of the forensic medical expert center were stored has been dismissed.

It is evident that the Ministry of Health has violated the requirements of the Law on Freedom of Information and has refused to provide important public information, thereby highlighting how much the obligation to be accountable to society has regressed.