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