Azerbaijan Announces 10-Day Detention for Armenian Youths Kidnapped from Illegal Checkpoint

The Prosecutor's Office of Azerbaijan has revealed that three Armenian youths they kidnapped from an illegal checkpoint in the Lachin Corridor will be detained for a period of 10 days. In a statement issued today, Azerbaijani authorities clarified that these individuals will not face criminal charges but instead will receive an "administrative punishment in the form of a 10-day detention," following which they will be "deported from Azerbaijani territory."

The incident, which unfolded in Artsakh, had raised concerns about the security situation in the area. The Lachin Corridor, a vital transportation route connecting Artsakh to Armenia and the rest of the world, has been under a blockade causing a dire humanitarian crisis since December 2022.

The Prosecutor General's Office of Azerbaijan issued a statement, shedding light on the fate of the kidnapped Artsakh residents: "After a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the abduction, it has been decided that the three individuals will not face criminal charges. Instead, they will be subjected to an administrative punishment, which entails a 10-day detention period."

The inhumane incident has raised concerns in the international community, with neighboring Armenia urging Azerbaijan to ensure the safety and well-being of the abducted individuals.

It remains to be seen how this development will impact the broader context of the ongoing blockade and humanitarian crisis caused by Azerbaijan in Artsakh.