Geneva (ICRC) – Two Armenian civilians interned in Azerbaijan returned to Armenia today under the auspices of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). The man and the woman were placed in the care of Armenian officials on the road between the Azerbaijani town of Gazakh and the Armenian town of Ijevan, at the international border.

ICRC delegates had visited the civilians prior to their repatriation in order to assess their treatment and conditions of internment.

Acting as a neutral intermediary and in accordance with its mandate, the ICRC facilitated this repatriation in conjunction with the Azerbaijani and Armenian authorities. The internees had previously confirmed to ICRC delegates that both were returning of their own free will.

On the basis of its mandate under the Geneva Conventions, the ICRC has been working in the area since 1992 in connection with the Nagorny Karabakh conflict.