ArmInfo. Armenian President Armen Sarkissian has sent a letter to the President of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) To Peter Maurer, looking forward to the committee's assistance in the issue of the early return of Armenian prisoners of war and civilians held in Azerbaijan.
According to the press service of the President of the Republic of Armenia, in the letter, Sargsyan pointed out that during the war against Artsakh, unleashed by Azerbaijan and carried out with the active support and direct participation of Turkey, and after it, several hundred Armenian servicemen and civilians were taken prisoner, who are subjected to torture and are treated inhumanly by Azerbaijan.
He recalled that according to the trilateral ceasefire statement of November 9, 2020, Armenia handed over all prisoners of war to Azerbaijan. "However, it is extremely important that the exchange of all prisoners of war and civilians in captivity is carried out using the principle of "all for all", which is ignored by Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan, in gross violation of human rights and international humanitarian law, is currently concealing the true number of Armenian prisoners of war and hostages being held, and continues to deny and prevent their return. Armenia expects international partners to assist in the issue of the early return of all prisoners of war, " Sargsyan said. The President noted that he appeals to Maurer and the ICRC to take all necessary measures in accordance with international humanitarian law to ensure the immediate release and safe return of prisoners of war.