YEREVAN, MARCH 7, ARMENPRESS. A former POW is suspected of spying for Azerbaijan after his release and subsequent service in the military, the prosecution announced on Tuesday.

The suspect, a major in the Armed Forces of Armenia, is one of the Armenian troops who were taken captive by Azerbaijani forces in July 2021 in Ishkhanasar, Syunik Province. The Armenian POW was then taken to Baku. In custody, he gave written consent to spy for Azerbaijan after his release, according to investigators.

He was released on September 7 of the same year. Months later he was assigned to a new post at a military base, where he served as the communal service chief.

The general prosecution said that during his service the suspect “being recruited by a foreign intelligence agency, conveyed classified information [state secrets] to the foreign intelligence agency, thus committing high treason...”

He was paid 20,200 dollars by the foreign intelligence agency.

The suspect is charged with state treason.

The case was lodged at the Yerevan Court of General Jurisdiction on March 6, 2023.