Why did the Armenian side recently return the Azerbaijani soldier who crossed the Armenian border to Azerbaijan? Pashinyan's comment

For a long time, there has been an agreement between Armenia and Azerbaijan, and, in fact, it continues to exist, that those soldiers who get lost and end up on the opposite side are returned shortly after. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said this today, March 12, during a press conference, addressing the question of why the Armenian side recently returned to Azerbaijan an Azerbaijani soldier who crossed the Armenian border, but no Armenian prisoners were returned.

"This agreement has been violated since X time, before and after 2018. It has been found that there are differences in its perception. In the case of servicemen or persons who have either intentionally violated, or even while being lost, committed some actions that fit within the logic of the Criminal Code, there is understandably a complication in solving this problem. In the recent discussions with the President of Azerbaijan, we have mutually reaffirmed that if there is a case of confusion, we should return it," Pashinyan said.

According to him, with the latest case of return, Armenia has taken a step to revive this agreement in practice. He noted that an investigation was conducted, as a result of which it was found out whether the person crossed the border intentionally or by confusion, appearing in the territory of Armenia, or whether he committed other acts before that, which are subject to qualification under the RA Criminal Code.

"This is done as an investment to further implement the agreements reached at that highest level. We don't know which side the next soldier will be on. I reaffirm our position that if such a case occurs, we will remain faithful to the agreement reached at the highest level," Pashinyan said.

Turning to the question of whether he is convinced that the Azerbaijani side will also remain faithful to the agreement, Pashinyan expressed hope that the Armenian soldiers will not be confused and will not end up on the opposite side. "If such a case suddenly happens, I will be able to answer that question in the context of that case. It was done for that purpose, based on that objective reality. Legal grounds are needed to detain any person, if there is no such basis, RA cannot detain anyone, regardless of which country he is a citizen of, under arrest or hold him as a hostage, this is not the practice of our country."

According to Pashinyan, daily work is being done to return the prisoners.