Remains Identified but Unrecognized by Parents to be Buried at Yerablur

Remains of servicemen who died in the 44-day war and have been identified, yet whose parents do not believe the results and have not claimed the remains, will be buried at the Yerablur military pantheon in a specially designated area, said Vardan Avetisyan, advisor to the Minister of Defense and Major General, in an interview with NEWS.am.

According to him, the remains of more than 80 servicemen have been identified and are currently held in various morgues. “Many parents do not accept the DNA results; there are even some parents who have taken the remains for examination to other countries. The issue of burying these soldiers has been discussed since last year, when Deputy Minister Arman Sargsyan called me and asked whether a designated area was planned for their burial, and I said yes, but only after the necessary construction works,” Avetisyan noted. At that time, there were even 114 remains, but some have been recognized by the parents over the months.

According to Vardan Avetisyan, once the confirmation is received, the Government will issue instructions, and construction work will begin, with the contractor determined through a previously announced tender. The works are expected to be completed within three months. “A designated area has already been separated in Yerablur, where the remains of these soldiers will be interred. This plot of land needs to be leveled, walls constructed, a drip irrigation system installed, and landscaped before the remains are buried. Each remains will be provided a burial plot, similar to the graves of other victims,” he added.

“There will be small stones on them with crosses, similar to Arlington Cemetery, all placed within a green area. Under the cross, there will be a DNA code and the date of birth and death of the soldier. Names will not be written as this is a very sensitive and problematic issue. Parents will know through this number that their son is buried there. If the parent changes their mind later, we will be able to erect a gravestone there and develop it in the same way as others have been. Alternatively, parents may decide to transfer the remains to a family cemetery, and that option is also available,” Avetisyan emphasized.