30 Out of 62 Shirak Residents Still in Captivity

30 out of 62 residents from Shirak who were captured in the Hadrut region, specifically in Hin Tagher and Khtsaberd, are still in captivity. Among the 32 repatriated servicemen, 32 have been recognized as victims within the framework of a criminal case.

During the Third Artsakh War, no charges have been brought against any of those captured. Only six servicemen who were captured on November 16, 2021, have the status of defendants.

This information was provided by the Investigative Committee of Armenia in response to a written inquiry from “Pastinfo.” The inquiry requested information regarding the number of criminal cases opened concerning the capture of Armenian servicemen between September 27, 2020, and November 16, 2021, the charges brought against captured soldiers, and the legal measures applied to them. Additionally, it sought clarity on whether the 62 Shirak residents captured in Hin Tagher and Khtsaberd have been recognized as defendants in the ongoing criminal case, as well as how many POWs or captured civilians have been recognized as victims.

According to the response from the Investigative Committee, the main investigation department of military investigations continues to examine the evidence related to the aggressive war unleashed and conducted by the political and military leadership of Azerbaijan against the Republic of Artsakh, including the use of mercenaries, application of prohibited methods and means of warfare, and systematic targeting of civilians and civilian objects in Artsakh, acts that constitute serious violations of international humanitarian law, among other matters. All instances of Armenian servicemen and civilians being captured during the act of aggression are also under investigation in this context.

Furthermore, the source noted that a criminal case has been opened concerning the capture of 62 servicemen on December 13, 2020, in the area of Khtsaberd. As of February 9, 2022, 30 of these 62 servicemen are still held captive in Azerbaijan, while the remaining 32 have been recognized as victims in the criminal case. They are not under criminal prosecution, meaning they do not hold the status of defendants.