Azerbaijani soldier detained on Armenian border
- 1 March, 08:00
Armenia on Wednesday detained a “lost” Azerbaijani soldier in its border Syunik region. The serviceman of the Azerbaijani army Ruslan Panahov walked into Tegh village in Syunik, claiming that he was lost.
There are unconfirmed reports of an additional soldier avoiding capture.
Armenia’s Investigative Committee reported on Thursday that it had launched an investigation into the Azerbaijani soldier’s capture under charges of attempted sabotage, attempted murder in a manner dangerous to the lives of others, attempted murder motivated by national and religious hatred, intolerance, and enmity, illegally carrying and transporting firearms and ammunition, smuggling firearms and ammunition, and illegally crossing the border.
Meanwhile, a local official from Tegh village, Argam Hovsepyan, told media that two Azerbaijani soldiers were caught near the village on Wednesday and one of them fled. On the same day, Armenia’s National Security Service stated that the Azerbaijani serviceman was armed with an AKM-type assault rifle and one magazine, adding that Armenia’s Ministry of Defence’s servicemen neutralised him.
The Azerbaijani Defence Ministry reported that the soldier had lost his way and entered Armenia due to “unfavourable weather” while moving between Azerbaijani positions in the Lachin region.
The ministry added that search operation is underway to find the lost soldiers of the Azerbaijani army.
