Number of Soldiers and Civilians Returned from Captivity Revealed

As a result of the 44-day war and the post-war events, the bodies of 422 fallen Armenian soldiers have been returned to the Republic of Armenia, of which 225 lost their lives during the events of September 2022. This was announced during the first meeting of the interdepartmental commission dealing with prisoners of war, hostages, and missing persons held at the National Security Service of Armenia.

It has been recorded that the effort to recover the bodies of two Armenian soldiers who fell during the September 2022 events is still ongoing. “In addition, as a result of the combat operations that took place from September 13 to 14, 2022, one officer and one conscript from the military unit in Jermuk have been extracted from a territory under the control of Azerbaijan, from the enemy's deep rear,” the statement said.

To date, 173 soldiers and civilians have been returned from captivity. The commission has received 101 written applications since December 19, 2022, regarding the circumstances of disappearance, as well as legal, healthcare, and social inquiries. In addition, there have also been oral applications. As a result of discussions on these applications, some have been provided with necessary solutions, relevant information has been submitted, and others have been forwarded to the competent authorities for further investigation and recommendations.

Under the initiative of the commission's chairman, NSC Director Armen Abazyan, a meeting was held with more than 80 family members of missing persons. The working group operating alongside the commission has also held meetings with representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross in Armenia, in addition to meetings with parents.