Armenian analysts explain impossibility of Guliev's and Askerov's transfer to Azerbaijan

The exchange of Azerbaijani citizens, Shakhbaz Guliev and Dilgam Askerov, convicted in the Nagorno-Karabakh Republic (NKR), for Armenian prisoners is impossible, as it will pose a threat to the safety of residents of border villages, experts in Armenia believe. According to the Red Cross, there are five Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan.

The "Caucasian Knot" has reported that on August 23, an Armenian officer, Gurgen Alaverdyan, was taken prisoner in the Karabakh conflict zone, as stated by the Azerbaijani Ministry of Defence (MoD), as a saboteur. He was accused of espionage and waging an aggressive war.

An "all-for-all" exchange is unacceptable, as Shakhbaz Guliev and Dilgam Askerov were convicted in the NKR for committing particular crimes; while there are no proofs of any crimes committed by the captured Armenians, Taron Ovannisyan, an expert on Azerbaijan at the "Orbeli" Analytical and Research Centre.

Azerbaijan accuses the Armenian prisoners of crave crimes in order to "equalize them with its own saboteurs," he has stated, adding that an exchange on the principle of "all for all" is unacceptable, as it will set a precedent that threatens the security of Armenian citizens." "If Azerbaijan achieves the return of its saboteurs, they will be heroized, as in Safarov's case. Such exchange will also be a signal that one may kill Armenians and be sure that Azerbaijan achieves his return and honouring," Mr Ovannisyan is sure.

Azerbaijan seeks achieving parity in charge gravity; therefore, it fabricates cases against Armenian prisoners on grave charges in order to achieve the return of its citizens, Larisa Alaverdyan, the first Armenian Ombudsperson, believes.