Ashot Astabatyan: Visit of representatives of Red Cross to captives is of humanitarian nature

YEREVAN, NOVEMBER 19, ARMENPRESS: The visit of the representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) to RA citizen Arthur Badalyan held captive in Azerbaijan was of humanitarian nature, Press Secretary of the Armenia office of the International Committee of the Red Cross Ashot Astabatyan told Armenpress, adding suchlike visits periodically take place, but the details of their results are not publicized.

“It is true, the fact of visit is not kept secret, but they are confidential in other details. The goal of the visits of the committee is humanitarian and is implemented for getting acquainted with conditions and state of military captives,” Ashot Astabatyan said, adding that the humanitarian right is defined in Geneva conventions.

The representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross, concerned by the conditions and physical state of the captive, visited him, handing him the letter of the members of his family.

Arthur Badalyan crossed the Armenian-Azerbaijani contact line and was held captive by the Azerbaijani armed forces in 2009 May 9.