Red Cross Has Not Yet Contacted Those Abducted by Azerbaijan; Data on New Captives Being Collected

Representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) have not yet visited Ruben Vardanyan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, Davit Manukyan, and Davit Babayan, who were abducted by Azerbaijan. The latter were taken captive during the period from September 27 to 29. This is reported by ‘Pactinfo’.

The news outlet tried to clarify with the ICRC whether they have visited the aforementioned individuals and if the opportunity to establish contact with their relatives has been provided. In response, Zara Amatuni, the head of communication programs at the ICRC’s Armenia office, stated that they do not have any information that is subject to publication on this matter and cannot offer any comments.

“This is a topic that is extremely confidential; I cannot share the procedures. We do not disclose numbers or procedures. If a visit occurs, we confirm it and say, ‘Yes, we have visited’, if that is the case, or we say ‘Yes, there has been a connection with relatives’, if that has occurred. In this case, I cannot comment on this issue in any way. Nevertheless, the matter is in our focus,” she said.

When asked if they had visited other captives resulting from military operations that took place on September 19-20 and whether they could specify how many new captives there are, Ms. Amatuni mentioned that they are currently gathering data.

“I can say that the issue regarding the detained individuals is in our focus. We cannot provide information on how many individuals are involved, but I can say that we accept and register people who are looking for their relatives, suspecting that they may be detained,” she added.