Azerbaijan has handed over to Armenia 17 servicemen captured during the border clashes between the two countries on September 13-14. It is understood that four of the soldiers had been injured during the fighting before being captured.
The hand over took place on the basis of an agreement reached at a meeting between the head of the Foreign Policy Department of the Presidential Administration of Azerbaijan, Hikmet Hajiyev, and the Secretary of the Armenian Security Council, Armen Grigoryan, with the participation of US National Security Advisor, Jake Sullivan, in Washington DC last week.
The servicemen released were named as: Mkrtchyan Shahen Hovhannesovich, Jilavyan Karen Sarkisovich, Karapetyan Erik Garikovich, Karapetyan Sasun Grachikovich, Oveyan Mesrop Arturovich, Mkhitaryan Vrezh Gorovich, Karapetyan David A., Gevorkyan Rafael Aramovich, Faroyan Aleksan Surikovich, Kubatyan Hrachya Edwardovich, Gizhlaryan Vahe Artakovich, Yeganyan Kadzhik Aramaisovich, Shaginyan Tigran Edgarovich, Grigoryan Serezha Abramovich, Etumyan Vahagn Albertovich, Khachatryan Gor Aramovich, Sayadyan Henryk Karenovich.
This morning the US National Security Advisor tweeted:
We welcome Azerbaijan’s return of the 17 Armenian POWs from the recent violence. The United States continues to support ongoing efforts to reach a lasting peace agreement.
— Jake Sullivan (@JakeSullivan46) October 4, 2022