Armenians take three Azeri soldiers prisoner in Karabakh – TV

Space TV, Baku
16 Feb 05

[Presenter] Our regional correspondent reports that three servicemen
of military unit X in Tartar have been taken prisoner by the
Armenians. We have a live report from Tartar to find out how the
incident occurred. Our regional correspondent Sanan Hasanoglu is on
the line. Sanan, good evening.

[Correspondent] Good evening, Gunay.

[Presenter] Sanan, how did the incident occur, when and in which
circumstances?

[Correspondent] The incident happened at about 2000 [1600 gmt]
yesterday, 15 February, in a place called Tulkudarasi bordering on
Armenia [as heard; in fact, on Nagornyy Karabakh]. Three soldiers of
the national army lost their way in the dark and were taken prisoner
by the Armenians.

[Presenter] Sanan, which Azerbaijani districts were the soldiers
drafted from?

[Correspondent] The soldiers are said to have been drafted from Ganca,
Samkir and Beylaqan.

[Presenter] Sanan, have the authorities been informed of the incident?
Because as soon as we received the report, we telephoned the Defence
Ministry which said it was not aware of it.

[Correspondent] Gunay, the moment I received the report I contacted
the commander of the military unit based in Tartar and the Tartar
military prosecutor, Sahin Zamanov. Unfortunately, neither the
military prosecutor nor the unit commander wanted to give me
any information. But they both said that the reason they could
not divulge this information was that the operation was secret.
Unofficial sources, however, have confirmed to us that three of our
soldiers have indeed been taken prisoner.

[Presenter] Thank you very much. This was Sanan Hasanoglu from Tartar
on the line.