VIDEO SHOWING BODIES OF 79 AZATAMARTIKS FOUND

Noyan Tapan

Ma y 21, 2008

YEREVAN, MAY 21, NOYAN TAPAN. It turned out recently that 79 Armenian
azatamartiks – participants in a military action near the village of
Hasankaya in Artsakh on June 29, 1992, all of them have been so far
considered missing – died on the battlefield on the same day. A video
showing the bodies of these azatamartiks has recently been obtained
by efforts of members of Arabo NGO.

The commander of "Arabo" detachment, head of Arabo NGO Manvel
Yeghiazarian announced this at the May 21 press conference. According
to him, over the past 16 years, they did not cease seeking information
about these men. The video bears evidence of the fact that the
azatamartiks fought and died as heroes. "The guys who were at our rear
– 3-4 km away preferred death to escape and being taken prisoners,"
he said. 22 of the azatamartiks were from "Arabo" detachment, 29 –
from "Artsiv" (Hoctemberian) and 7 were from "Zeytun" detachment.

The chairwoman of the council of the Organization of Missing
Azatamartiks Rima Arakelian, whose son was one of the indicated
azatamartiks, stated on behalf of their relatives that the deeds
of these men must be appreciated: the rank of National Hero must be
conferred on them. According to her, they put forward their demand
to the RA minister of defence during the May 20 sitting of the
council. Besides, the relatives demand that the identities of the
killed azatamartiks be established, and their bodies be brought to
Armenia and buried in the common grave at the Yerablur Pantheon. They
also demand a meeting with the commanders of that battle in order
to get some explanation. "After 16 years, the parents must know what
happened to their sons," R. Arakelian said.

In her opinion, the place where the azatamartiks were buried is in
a neutral zone.

It was announced that more than 300 persons who are considered as
missing after military operations have been registered in Armenia.