Nagorny Karabakh conflict: 15 Azerbaijani prisoners freed under ICRC auspices

Geneva (ICRC) - On 8 June, the authorities of Nagorny Karabakh released 15 Azerbaijanis who had been detained in connection with the conflict that has been raging in the area since 1988. The release took place under the auspices of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Delegates based in Stepanakert, Nagorny Karabakh, accompanied the released prisoners to the front line where, in the presence of the authorities, they were placed in the care of delegates based in the Azerbaijani capital Baku. Each prisoner had been interviewed by delegates prior to his release to ensure that he was going to the destination of his choice.

In May this year, the authorities of Nagorny Karabakh freed 15 prisoners and the Armenian and Azerbaijani authorities released 27 and 35 prisoners of war respectively. All had been visited by the ICRC.

The ICRC welcomes these latest releases and earnestly hopes that all those still detained in connection with the Nagorny Karabakh conflict will soon be set free.