Pashinyan: There will likely be no exchange of an Azerbaijani soldier for an Armenian prisoner in Baku

ArmInfo. It's unlikely that an Azerbaijani soldier will be exchanged for an Armenian prisoner held in Baku.

This was stated by RA Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan in an interview with the Infocom program "Ctrl Z."

According to him, two different issues can be discussed in this case. "These are different issues, and such situations have occurred before. We have an agreement that we consider processes related to the transfer of military personnel separately from all other cases. If we say: 'Give us one of the prisoners,' so we'll give him back, tomorrow our soldier might transfer, but then who will we give back?" - stated the Prime Minister of Armenia.

He noted that the Azerbaijani serviceman who illegally crossed the Armenian border and was detained in the village of Shaki in the Syunik region will remain in Armenia for at least some time.

Pashinyan emphasized that, according to Armenian law, the criminal case will be conducted in Armenia, and the soldier of the Azerbaijani Armed Forces will remain in the country for some time. "An investigation is currently underway, and he has been arrested."

The Prime Minister confirmed that the search for the soldier had been ongoing for several days, including with the use of drones. However, due to the extremely difficult terrain,

he was not found. Nikol Pashinyan assured that a detailed investigation would be conducted, including into how he crossed over to the Armenian side.

Regarding why residents of the village of Shaki weren't promptly warned, the prime minister noted that there was no evidence that the soldier had crossed into Armenian territory. In this case, it's important that the Azerbaijani side not only informed but also maintained constant contact with the Armenian side during the search operations. Pashinyan noted that Azerbaijan has also initiated criminal proceedings against the soldier under the article on desertion. The prime minister emphasized that the Azerbaijani soldier who harmed a person in Armenia will be convicted, as this is a legal matter. "According to preliminary data, he fell asleep in the house, the owners returned later, and everything happened unexpectedly," Pashinyan said, calling claims that the Azerbaijani side resorted to sabotage absurd.

As a reminder, Azerbaijani serviceman Nasimi Musayev illegally crossed the border into Armenia and was detained in the Syunik region after attacking a local resident. On September 26, 2026, he left his duty station in the Lachin region of his own free will. On September 29, 2026, the State Security Service of Azerbaijan officially notified the National Security Service of Armenia of the serviceman's disappearance and his possible border crossing. On October 1, 2026, Musayev entered the home of Ani Avetisyan, a resident of the village of Shaki (Syunik region), and wounded her in the leg with a firearm. Despite the wound, she resisted and stabbed him. After the attack, the soldier hid in a barn, where he was soon discovered and detained by Armenian law enforcement. The Investigative Committee of Armenia has opened a criminal case, and Musayev has been arrested by court order for two months. The injured woman underwent surgery at the St. Grigor Lusavorich Medical Center in Yerevan; her life is out of danger; her son suffered a broken wrist, and her daughter received psychological assistance.

It should be noted that the exact number of Armenian prisoners of war and hostages held in Azerbaijani prisons is still unknown. Experts estimate there are several hundred. Today, Azerbaijani authorities confirm the presence of 19 Armenians in their custody. Among those held in Azerbaijani captivity are eight former and current representatives of the military-political leadership of Artsakh. These are former presidents of Artsakh; Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Arayik Harutyunyan, former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan, as well as Parliament Speaker Davit Ishkhanyan, former Commander of the Artsakh Defense Army, General Levon Mnatsakanyan, General David Manukyan, and former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan. In February, a Baku puppet court sentenced Arayik Harutyunyan, Davit Babayan, Davit Ishkhanyan, Davit Manukyan, and Levon Mnatsakanyan to life imprisonment on trumped-up charges, and Bako Sahakyan, Arkady Ghukasyan, and Ruben Vardanyan to 20 years in prison. The so-called court sentenced the remaining Artsakh residents to up to 15 years in prison.