YEREVAN. – The Armenian State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons confirmed the Azerbaijani party’s information that two citizens of Armenia had illegally crossed the Armenian-Azerbaijani border. 

Negotiations are underway for the return of these two persons to Armenia, stated Armen Kaprielyan, the head of the working group of the aforesaid commission, to Armenian News-NEWS.am.

In line with the commission’s data, Mnatsakan Karyan—a resident of Dovegh village of Armenia’s Tavush Region, and who is born in 1926—crossed the border on March 16, whereas Anahit Arakelyan—a resident of Aygehovit village of Tavush Region, and who is born in 1965—crossed the border on March 17.

According to Azerbaijani media, the respective state commission applied to the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Baku Office to assume mediation for the return of these civilians. In its turn, the ICRC Yerevan Office confirmed the information.      

To note, this matter refers to two Armenian civilians one of whom is an elderly, and the Azerbaijani party’s unprecedented promptness is due to this fact. The previously captured Armenians—whether it be POWs, or civilians—were detained in Azerbaijan for a much longer period of time.