32 Armenian Soldiers Captured on November 16; 6 Remain in Captivity

On November 16, following Azerbaijani aggression against the sovereign territory of Armenia, none of the Armenian soldiers captured were recognized as victims. Instead, charges have been brought against six repatriated prisoners of war. This was reported by the Investigative Committee in response to a written inquiry from Factinfo.

It is noted that after the Azerbaijani aggression on November 16, the Armenian Ministry of Defense reported 13 captured and 24 missing soldiers. However, Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan later stated that the 24 missing soldiers were actually captured, introducing the '24+8' formula.

Factinfo received a formal confirmation from the Investigative Committee that 32 Armenian soldiers were captured by Azerbaijan on November 16, of whom 26 have returned home, while 6 are still held in captivity.

According to the Investigative Committee, a criminal case has been initiated under multiple articles of the Armenian Criminal Code, including Article 104, Articles 34-104, Article 185, Article 384, and Article 390, in relation to the events of November 16.

Based on a comprehensive, complete, and objective examination of the evidence gathered during the preliminary investigation, it was concluded that out of the 32 soldiers who found themselves in captivity on November 16, 6 of the 26 returned soldiers have been charged under Article 365 of the Armenian Criminal Code, and measures of restraint have been applied to them, including detention. Three of the individuals involved as defendants are officers.

Furthermore, it turns out that none of the repatriated individuals have been recognized as victims. The Investigative Committee has also informed us that necessary measures are being undertaken to return the 6 soldiers who were captured on the aforementioned date.