Reuters AlertNet, UK
March 24 2006
ICRC (press release), Switzerland
International Committee of the Red Cross
Armenian prisoner of war repatriated under ICRC auspices
Geneva (ICRC) – On 24 March an Armenian prisoner of war detained in
Azerbaijan was repatriated under the auspices of the International
Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC).
The operation took place on the road between the Azerbaijani town of
Gazakh and the Armenian town of Ijevan.
The ICRC, participating as a neutral intermediary and in accordance
with its mandate, facilitated the repatriation of the released
prisoner at the request of the Azerbaijani and the Armenian
authorities.
ICRC delegates visited the prisoner of war before the operation to
ensure he was returning home of his own free will.
Since the start of its activities in connection with the Nagorny
Karabakh conflict in 1992, the ICRC has helped repatriate or transfer
656 people, and the organization will support any similar operation
in the future should the need arise.
From: Emil Lazarian | Ararat NewsPress
