Baku: "I would like to inform the Azerbaijani public, especially the families of missing persons who continue to wait for their loved ones with hope, that in the coming days the remains of several missing martyrs whose identities have been established will be handed over to their families," Deputy Chief of the State Security Service, Sharafat Hasanov, stated at the international conference titled "Modern Approaches and Strengthening Cooperation in Resolving the Issue of Missing Persons," held in collaboration with the International Commission on Missing Persons (ICMP).

According to Azeri-Press News Agency, Hasanov emphasized the challenges faced in determining the fate of Azerbaijani citizens who went missing due to Armenia's military aggression. The process has been hampered by heavily mined territories and unexploded ordnance from the 30-year occupation, compounded by the destruction of infrastructure and burial sites. A lack of cooperation from the Armenian side in providing burial site information further complicates the situation.

Hasanov highlighted statements made by senior Armenian military officials, including former Armenian Deputy Defense Minister General Gagik Melkonyan and Member of Parliament Samvel Babayan, who had previously claimed knowledge of burial sites of missing Azerbaijani servicemen yet failed to share this information. Additionally, former Armenian Deputy Defense Minister General Manvel Grigoryan admitted in media interviews to having held Azerbaijani prisoners. Hasanov pointed out that these actions contradict principles of humanity and violate international humanitarian law.

The Republic of Azerbaijan remains committed to resolving the issue of missing persons and has expressed its openness to cooperate with Armenia in this regard.