422 Bodies of Fallen Armenian Soldiers Returned to Armenia, 225 of Them Died in September 2022: NSS

The Interagency Commission dealing with the issues of captives, hostages, and missing persons was established by the decision No. 1236-A of the Prime Minister of Armenia on October 20, 2022. By an order issued on November 10, 2022, the Director of the NSS approved the individual compositions of the Commission and the working group operating under it.

During the first meeting of the Commission on November 16, 2022, representatives from three civil society organizations, who expressed a desire to be included in the Commission's composition, were elected. The next meeting of the Commission took place on December 16, 2022, attended by members of the working group and over 100 family members of captives, hostages, and missing persons.

On December 29, 2022, the Commission held another meeting, during which a representative from the International Committee of the Red Cross in Armenia was also present. Critical issues that require urgent solutions were identified, including topics raised by parents and relatives of missing and captured individuals in their applications.

Reports regarding the three sessions of the Commission were published on the official NSS website. On December 30, 2022, the Commission's chair, NSS Director Major General A. Abazyan, met with over 90 family members of captured and missing individuals.

To maintain constant communication with the parents, employees from the Ministry of Defense of Armenia document applications and suggestions received from relatives at 56/5 Ulnec, and transfer them to the working group. Since February 8, 2023, daily meetings have been held at the same address between the parents' group and members of the working group.

On February 27, 2023, at the initiative of the Commission's chair, a meeting was held with over 80 family members of missing persons. The working group, besides meeting with parents, also held meetings with representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Armenia. Since December 19, 2022, a total of 101 written applications have been submitted to the Commission concerning the circumstances of disappearances and questions of a legal, health, and social nature. Additionally, there have been oral inquiries.

As a result of discussing these applications, some were given necessary solutions, required information was provided, while others were sent to relevant authorities for further consideration.

Emphasizing the necessity of legal regulation concerning relations with captives, hostages, and missing persons, the chair of the Commission has instructed the Ministry of Justice to develop a legislative concept regarding captives, hostages, and missing persons, while the Ministry of Labor and Social Affairs was tasked with assessing the needs of families of captives, hostages, and missing persons.

The Director of the NSS, Major General A. Abazyan, continues to hold regular meetings with parents and relatives of missing persons.

As a result of the 44-day war and post-war events, 422 bodies of fallen Armenian soldiers (remains) have been returned to the Republic of Armenia, of which 225 died during the September 2022 events. The recovery operations for the bodies of two Armenian soldiers who died in the September 2022 incidents are ongoing. Additionally, as a result of the hostilities that occurred from September 13 to 14, 2022, one officer and one conscript from the Jermuk military unit have been recovered from the territory now under Azerbaijani control, deep behind enemy lines.

To date, 173 military personnel and civilians have been returned from captivity.