Criminal proceedings have been initiated on the death of the Armenian citizen Manvel Saribekyan, who was taken captive by Azerbaijanis this September. The charge is defines as “murder with exceptional cruelty.”

A preliminary examination showed that the body was not properly kept, signs of decomposition being evidence thereof. Experts found marks of torture on the body.

RA Prosecutor General Aghvan Hovsepyan ordered criminal proceedings to be initiated. The Head Investigation Department, RA Police, is conducting preliminary investigation.

The Armenian shepherd Manvel Saribekyan was taken captive on the line of contact on September 11. The Azeri side branded his an Armenian commando. Later, Azerbaijan spread the information that Manvel Saribekyan allegedly committed suicide on Oct. 5.

On November 4, under the auspices of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) Saribekyan’s body was returned to Armenia. The Armenian side returned the Azeri citizen Eldar Tagiev.