Baku: Azerbaijan’s State Commission on Prisoners of War, Hostages, and Missing Persons faces a challenging task as witnesses struggle to identify grave sites in the aftermath of Armenia’s military aggression.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Eldar Samadov, Deputy Head of the Working Group of the State Commission, revealed an increase in appeals from families of those who went missing during the First Garabagh War, following Azerbaijan’s victory in the Patriotic War.

The State Commission has registered 3,983 individuals as missing due to Armenia’s aggression, with 3,977 from the First Garabagh War and six from the Patriotic War. Of these, 3,209 are military personnel, while 774 are civilians, including 75 minors, 116 women, and 315 elderly individuals. The liberation of Azerbaijan’s territories has raised hopes among families seeking to uncover the fate of their missing relatives. However, this process is fraught with difficulties.

Samadov highlighted that 23 mass graves have been discovered since the Patriotic War, with remains of 187 people exhumed. Despite uncovering these graves, identifying individuals remains difficult due to contamination from mines and changes in terrain. The remains of 59 missing martyrs have been identified and returned to their families. The State Commission continues to receive information from former captives and witnesses, yet struggles with pinpointing burial sites.

Witnesses report difficulty in recognizing grave sites due to vandalism and ecological damage inflicted during Armenian occupation. This complicates efforts to locate and identify remains. As of February 2025, 210 individuals are registered as missing from the Khojaly genocide, with 95 having eyewitness accounts of capture.

Efforts to collect DNA samples from families of the missing have faced resistance. Since 2014, biological samples from over 11,000 donors have been collected, aiding in the identification of 165 missing persons. Despite this, some families remain hesitant to provide samples, hindering identification efforts.

The State Commission collaborates with multiple entities, including the Genetic Research Center, to identify remains. The process involves collecting antemortem and postmortem data, although not all remains meet the requirements for molecular-genetic analysis.

Communication with families of the missing is prioritized, with modern technology facilitating contact. The State Commission remains committed to addressing the sensitivities surrounding the issue and continues to work with families to uncover the fate of their loved ones.