Baku: The remains of 500 individuals, part of the nearly 4,000 people who went missing during the First Karabakh War, have been discovered and identified. Akif Guliyev, the Head of the Department of Forensic Archaeology at the Institute of Archaeology and Anthropology of ANAS, disclosed this information to APA, highlighting the progress made in locating and identifying these individuals.

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, about 50 human skeletal remains have been unearthed in Karabakh this year alone and have been returned to their families. Guliyev noted the significant efforts undertaken to address the issue of the missing persons, with approximately 500 of them having been found and subjected to laboratory analysis.

Research operations were conducted this year in regions such as Kalbajar, Aghdara, Khojavend, Gubadli, Zangilan, and Aghdam, primarily guided by witness statements. These initiatives led to the discovery of both skeletal remains and intact skeletons.

Furthermore, the department spearheaded the exhumation of unknown graves located in the cemeteries of Tartar, Beylagan, and Ganja. Guliyev mentioned that remains from graves in the Martyrs’ Alley in Baku were also retrieved for DNA analysis. Once positive DNA matches were confirmed, the remains were exhumed and subsequently returned to their respective families.

The planning for research activities for 2025 has been finalized, as per the department head. From 2026 onwards, further research will continue in collaboration with relevant authorities.