“We need to wait a few days until information regarding the prisoners of war is diplomatically confirmed,” stated First Human Rights Defender, Larisa Alaverdyan, to Iravaban.net.
“In reality they have changing circumstances. We are working to give them time, at least until Tuesday or Wednesday. The number is clear and international operations are being conducted with the Red Cross. Such information needs to be taken from official sources. I am convinced that this situation is being actively handled. Until then let us be guided by two circumstances: that we have no Azerbaijan prisoners of war and that there are 21-22 bodies in the neutral zone,” stated Ms. Alaverdyan.
Why are there no prisoners of war from Azerbaijan? They are the attackers. “There were none because we did not blockade them. When Azeri forces were killed, the remaining troops would leave the deceased bodies and escape,” she said, adding that, the Armenian side has worked to return the soldiers. “We do not have prisoners of war and we do not need to capture them to attempt to return the prisoners because international law prohibits the exchange of POWS. There is a requirement to return the prisoners. The Armenian side has expressed their willingness to return the corpses of Azeri troops,” noted Ms. Alaverdyan.
