YEREVAN. - The body of the Armenian citizen Karen Petrosyan, tortured to death in Azerbaijani prison, was delivered to Yerevan city, Armenian News - NEWS.am reports.

According to the head of the working group of the Armenia’s Commission on POWs, Hostages and Missing Persons Armen Kaprielian, the body of Petrosyan was passed for examination to the National Scientific and Practical Centre of Forensic Medicine.

Earlier Armenian side initiated a criminal investigation on the death of Armenian citizen, civilian Karen Petrosyan, who was taken as a hostage by Azerbaijani militaries and tortured to death in the Azeri prison.

“In the framework of the investigation, it has been decided to appoint a forensic examination. An expert opinion on the causes of death of Karen Petrosyan, as well as conditions of the body after death and till the return of the body to the Armenian side, will be revealed later. However, the fact of the death of Armenian hostage in an Azerbaijani prison in itself is a war crime, the responsibility for which lies on the authorities of the Azerbaijan,” Armen Kaprielian said.

The resident of the Chinari village of Tavush region of Armenia, civilian Karen Petrosyan was seized by Azerbaijanis on Aug. 7. One day after that, on Aug. 8, the Azerbaijani side released a message about the death of an Armenian prisoner, allegedly due to the heart attack. On Friday the Azerbaijani authorities have passed the body of tortured Karen Petrosyan to Armenian side.