YEREVAN. – Azerbaijani saboteurs neutralized in Karvachar region of Nagorno-Karabakh cannot be considered captives, Armenian Defense Minister Seyran Ohanyan told reporters.

“They are criminals, and their aim was to get information. Their equipment proves that they studied infrastructure, military units, movements of army units. This was a reason for Azerbaijani leadership to make this decision. They are criminals and must be punished in accordance with the legislation of Nagorno-Karabakh and international law,” he said.

Two members of the Azerbaijani group Dilgam Askerov and Shahbaz Guliyev are in custody, the third member was killed while being detained.