YEREVAN. – The Armenian side asks the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to transfer the Armenian soldier who is held captive in Azerbaijan.   

Armenian Defense Minister’s Press Secretary Artsrun Hovhannisyan told the aforesaid to Armenian News-NEWS.am.

“Armenia follows through on the implementation of its international commitments. The Armenian party ensures yet again that a criminal prosecution will not be instituted against Hakob Injighulyan. 

“After returning home [to Armenia], he will be able to exercise his rights, by continuing to live in Armenia, or in a second, third, or even a fourth country [if he so wishes],” Hovhannisyan specifically stated.

To note, Azerbaijani media have alleged that Injighulyan had refused to return to Armenia claiming that he was being persecuted in the Armenian army. The Azerbaijani media also asserted that Injighulyan had petitioned the Azerbaijani authorities, with a request to transfer him to a third country.    

As Armenian News-NEWS.am informed earlier, Armenian soldier Hakob Injighulyan (born in 1991) found himself in the territory under the control of the adversary. According to preliminary information, Injighulyan turned up there on August 8 at around 3am, while carrying out his military service, by crossing the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR)-Azerbaijan border, and as a result of losing his orientation in the area. He was taken to Azerbaijani capital city Baku the next day. The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) was able to meet with the Armenian prisoners of war on August 20. To note, Injighulyan was made to wear Azerbaijani military uniform and give several interviews.