Ombudsman visits prisoners and hostages returned to Azerbaijan

The issue of Azerbaijani service members captured by Armenia's armed forces has been in the focus of the Commissioner for Human Rights (Ombudsman) of the Republic of Azerbaijan Sabina Aliyeva since the first day, and numerous appeals have been sent to the relevant international structures in this regard.

According to Ombudsman's Office, the appeals reflected the facts of inhumane treatment of Azerbaijani prisoners of war and hostages by the Armenian Armed Forces, required to conduct an appropriate investigation, put an end to lawlessness against them, and return prisoners of war and hostages to the Azerbaijani side under the requirements of international law.

Ombudsman Sabina Aliyeva also closely cooperated with the State Commission on Prisoners of War and Missing and Hostage-Taken Citizens of the Republic of Azerbaijan and exchanged information. At the Ombudsman initiative, a video conference meeting was held with the head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Azerbaijan. The parents of the Azerbaijani prisoners of war were also present at the meeting.

Ombudsman Sabina Aliyeva also worked closely with the State Commission of the Republic of Azerbaijan on Prisoners of War, Hostages, and Missing Persons. Moreover, a video conference with the head of the ICRC office in Azerbaijan, initiated by the Ombudsman, ensured the participation of Azerbaijani servicemen's parents in captivity and created an opportunity for their appeals.

As known, on December 14, 12 servicemen of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces and Dilgam Asgarov and Shahbaz Guliyev, who had been held hostage since 2014, were delivered to Baku.

On 15 December, the Ombudsman met with these individuals at the facility where they were examined and treated.