Vigen Euljekjyan's Family Issues Statement

The family of Vigen Euljekjyan, a Lebanese-Armenian captive held in Azerbaijan, has issued a statement: "Last Thursday, following the publication of a joint announcement by Armenia and Azerbaijan, it became clear that an agreement had been reached between the parties that Baku would release 32 Armenian detainees (26 military personnel and 6 civilians) in exchange for the release of two Azerbaijani soldiers by Yerevan. We were informed by multiple sources that since November 2020, Vigen Euljekjyan's name has been included in the list of those to be released, which was also published by various media outlets. However, today, we were shocked to learn that Vigen will not be among those exchanged, and his name has been replaced by that of another Armenian captive. Indeed, following the implementation of the exchange operation this afternoon, we realized that Vigen is not among the released prisoners.

On this occasion, we call on all interested countries and humanitarian organizations, with Lebanon being the foremost among them, as Vigen was the son of a military institution in Lebanon, as well as Armenia, to work towards including Vigen's name in the first possible deal for release following this exchange."

It is noteworthy that today, 32 servicemen who returned from Azerbaijani captivity were taken to the Muratsan hospital for examination. Family members of the captives had gathered near the hospital. Also present was MP David Arushanyan from the ruling party, who, in a conversation with journalists, said he had no idea why the Lebanese-Armenian Vigen Euljekjyan had not returned. Among those present was Shirak Province Governor Musheg Muradyan, who was also inquired by reporters about the reasons for Vigen's non-return. In response, the governor said, "I cannot say; I have no information about that." It is noted that days ago, when the return of 32 captives was announced, the name of Lebanese-Armenian Vigen Euljekjyan was also mentioned in the list published by Azerbaijani media, but it later became known that he did not return.