Azerbaijan hands fifteen detained Armenian militaries over to Armenia

With Russia’s mediation, in exchange for minefield maps in Fizuli and Zangilan, Azerbaijan handed over to Armenia 15 prisoners of war (POWs) sentenced to imprisonment by the court, the Azerbaijani Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) has informed.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on June 12, Azerbaijan handed over 15 militaries to Armenia in exchange for the maps of 97,000 anti-tank and anti-personnel mines installed in the Agdam District.

On July 2, a Baku court dropped charges of grave crimes against 14 Armenian soldiers and found them guilty only of illegally crossing the Azerbaijani border. Two convicts received four years of imprisonment each, 12 others – six months each. These 12 persons will be released, since they have already spent this term in custody. The issue of their transfer to Armenia will be decided in the near future.

According to the Azerbaijani MFA, with the help of the received minefield maps, it will be possible to save tens of thousands lives, including those of sappers. This will speed up the construction and reconstruction projects in these territories, as well as the process of returning forced migrants home.

"As a humane step, Azerbaijan has handed over to Armenia 15 people of Armenian origin, who had been sentenced to imprisonment and whose prison terms have expired," the MFA’s press service said in its statement.

The aircraft with the 15 Armenian POWs has flown from Azerbaijan to Armenia, the “Sputnik Armenia” has reported, noting that among the passengers, there are 12 Armenian soldiers who had been taken POWs in Khtsaberd.