Commander of Russian peacekeepers: Armenia commits provocation

"The news of the return of prisoners of war was a provocation," the Russian peacekeeping commander contingent in the Karabakh region of Azerbaijan, Lieutenant General Rustam Muradov said in an interview with Hraparak.

The journalist asked him why Armenian officials announced the exchange of prisoners. He stated: "It's a lie and a provocation. Ask them. They confuse the population."

Muradov noted that nothing was planned for the captives' return, and it was a working visit to Baku.

Thus, the Armenian authorities reported that a plane was sent from Yerevan to Baku to bring the captives and returned empty-handed. The relatives of the servicemen captured and taken hostage during the fighting in Karabakh have been protesting in front of the Armenian Defense Ministry since April 8.