Today, a 68-year-old citizen of the Republic of Artsakh was
detained by Azerbaijan. He was one of the patients who were being transferred
to RA hospitals under ICRC mediation. From the checkpoint he was taken to
another place. Artsakh State Minister Gurgen Nersisyan said this. Human Rights
Defender (Ombudsman) of Artsakh Gegham Stepanyan noted that the State Border
Service of Azerbaijan abducted resident of the Republic of Artsakh Vagif
Khachatryan and took him to an unknown destination.
ICRC Communication and Prevention Programs Manager Zara
Amatuni told ABC Media that the issue is being discussed, and she cannot
provide details.
“Our organization and the decision makers of all sides
always agree upon our movement through the Lachin corridor in advance. This
applies to providing people’s personal information as well. Only then, do we
start carrying out our operations, i.e. people’s safe transfer to where they
need to go. As for this particular case, we surely discuss everything in
detail. However, in general, we do it through a direct and confidential
dialogue with the sides. As of now, I cannot give further details on the case,”
Amatuni said.
In response to the question as to what is being done to get
the 68-year-old man back, Amatuni noted that she cannot provide such
information either.
