AZERBAIJANI SOLDIER CAPTURED BY ARMENIAN TROOPS

C O N F I D E N T I A L YEREVAN 001742 SIPDIS SIPDIS DEPT FOR EUR/CARC E.O. 12958: DECL: 12/20/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV PHUM AJ AM SUBJECT: AZERBAIJANI SOLDIER CAPTURED BY ARMENIAN TROOPS Classified By: Poloff Masha Herbst for reasons 1.4 (b, d). ¶1. (U) The Armenian press reports that an Azerbaijani soldier was captured by ethnic Armenian forces in Nagorno Karabakh (N-K) on the line of contact December 7, after he reportedly crossed into Armenian-controlled territory east of N-K, in the Aghdam District. It is unclear whether 19-year-old Vusal Garajayev crossed the line of contact intentionally. Garajayev is now in the custody of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Yerevan. ¶2. (C) ICRC delegate Jean-Sebastien Blanc told us the organization would facilitate a repatriation if Garajayev indicated a desire to return to Azerbaijan, but said it was not yet clear whether he wanted to go home. (NOTE: In early 2005, four Armenian soldiers who had spent several months in Azerbaijani captivity were prosecuted upon their repatriation on charges of willingly crossing into Azerbaijani territory. Several weeks later, three Azerbaijani soldiers who fell into Armenian hands were similarly prosecuted upon their repatriation. END NOTE.) Citing ICRC's strict confidentiality regulations, Blanc refused to comment on whether Garajayev had crossed the line of contact intentionally. ¶3. (U) Arkady Ghukasyan, the "president" of the "Nagorno Karabakh Republic," told the press Garajayev had crossed the front line intentionally in order to escape systematic hazing by his fellow soldiers. Ghukasyan said the soldier feared certain government retribution upon his return to Azerbaijan, and did not want to be repatriated. Azerbaijani press reports quoted a GOAJ defense ministry spokesman as dismissing the "Armenian propaganda," and saying the soldier had strayed over the line of contact accidentally and would be repatriated. GODFREY