Armenian soldier to resume military service after Azeri captivity

PanARMENIAN.Net - Hakob Injighulyan, Armenian soldier repatriated after more than one year of Azerbaijani captivity, will continue his military service in the armed forces, Defense Ministry spokesman Artsrun Hovhannisyan told Panorama.am, the news agency reported.

He did not indicate any timeframe. Injighulyan is in good health, the spokesman said.

Injighulyan was repatriated on October 2. His medical examination did not reveal any serious health problems.

Speaking to Panorama.am, Injighulyan’s mother said that Hakob is in good health and attends preparatory courses at the American University of Armenia.

Injighulyan, captured by Azerbaijan in August 2013 returned to Armenia in early October 2014.

As was earlier reported, Injughulyan was transferred to a UN refugee camp, with the news given to his family on August 28. "Hakob was reluctant to leave for the third country, but the only choice he was given was between leaving for the third country or dying," the captive’s brother, Harutyun, said at the time.

In a conversation with journalists, the serviceman said that he had gone astray on the day of captivity, negligently crossing the Azerbaijani border from Nagorno Karabakh. He promised to continue his service in the military, adding that he still has 9 months of army service left. Injighulyan further recounted hardships experienced in Azeri captivity.

“Yes, I was beaten. They threatened to shoot me to death. The interviews were given under pressure; they would call and tell me what to say. And before the Red Cross visits too, they would call me to give instructions; they would read my letters …” he said, confirming that his departure for the third country before arrival to Armenia was prompted by Azeri threats of death.

Injighulyan said he was held in a five-storey penitentiary for servicemen, where he had also met Armenians. He said he was offered medical help only once after he got harshly beaten.