Armenia hides data on missing Azerbaijanis - ombudsman

Baku/30.08.21/Turan: The Ombudswoman of Azerbaijan Sabina Aliyeva appealed to the world community on the occasion of the International Day of the Missing People celebrated on August 30.

She points out that as a result of the Armenian aggression, thousands of Azerbaijani citizens disappeared without a trace. So, according to the data of the State Commission of Azerbaijan for Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons, 3890 persons of this category, of which 3171 are military, and 719 are civilians.

Of the civilians, 71 are minors, including 20 girls, and 267 women, of which 154 are elderly.

It is estimated that 872 out of 3890 people, including 29 children, 98 women and 112 elderly people, were taken hostage while in their homes.

Despite the testimonies of the released from Armenian captivity, the Armenian authorities deny the fact of capturing and holding these persons.

Thus, the International Committee of the Red Cross presented to the State Commission of Azerbaijan in 1998 and 2001 information about 54 Azerbaijanis, whom the representatives of the Red Cross visited in places of detention in Armenia and in Karabakh. These persons were officially registered by this organization.

The Armenian side returned the bodies of 17 out of 54 of these people, which were confirmed during their lifetime. Another 33 people, including six women, were killed in custody, but their bodies were not released, and the fate of the remaining 4 people remains unknown.

Until now, 196 residents of the city of Khojaly, including 36 children, 65 women (20 elderly), are missing.

Contrary to the requirements of international agreements to which the Republic of Armenia is a party, as well as the Geneva Conventions, it does not provide information on the fate of 7 Azerbaijani military who disappeared during the Second Karabakh War. — 06D-