Chairman of Azerbaijan State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons meets ICRC representatives

Azerbaijani National Security Minister, Chairman of the State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages and Missing Persons, Lieutenant-General Eldar Mahmudov has met outgoing head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) representation in Azerbaijan Toon Vandenhove and his successor Cherine Pollini.

Mahmudov praised Vandenhove`s work during his tenure, emphasizing “positive constructiveness” in cooperation between the ICRC Baku office and the Azeri government. The chairman of the State Commission hailed Vandenhove`s contribution to the bilateral cooperation, which he said, had yielded “concrete” results.

Mahmudov congratulated Pollini on her new appointment, expressing hope the cooperation between Azerbaijan and ICRC would continue developing.

Mahmudov pointed out that the Commission`s priority is to determine the fate of persons missing as a result of Armenia`s aggression against Azerbaijan. He said the Commission has registered 4,090 missing citizens and that 1,397 people have been released from the Armenian captivity during the conflict.

“Due to investigative activities, the fate of 977 people has been identified over the past five years, 19 Azerbaijanis were released from captivity, and 20 Armenians have been handed over to the opposite side,” said Mahmudov.

Vandenhove said collecting information about missing persons, hostages and prisoners of war is a very complicated process. He praised the Azerbaijani government`s contribution to building strong cooperation with the ICRC.

Vandenhove also hailed the State Commission for efforts to clarify the fate of victims of the conflict.


/AzerTAc/