Emotional Reunions and Medical Exams for Released Armenian Captives
Some of the four captives who were freed from Azerbaijani captivity on Wednesday reunited with their families, while they were still under medical supervision or were being briefed.
It was an emotional scene at Yerevan’s Zvartnots International Airport as the wife of Lebanese-Armenian Vicken Euljekian, who was in captivity since November, 2020, reunited with her husband.
Linda Iman, Euljekian’s wife, arrived in Yerevan from Beirut Thursday morning. She was confused and excited at the airport, impatiently waiting to meet her husband. “The children are very happy and can’t believe that this is real,” she said, adding that his son was anticipating his father’s return to Lebanon before he can get married.
Euljekian and another captive, Davit Davtyan, were in the Military Investigation Division for debriefing on Friday morning, Azatutyun.am reported.
Armenia’s High Commissioner for Diaspora Affairs Zareh Sinanyan, met with Eulkejian at investigation division. In short remarks, he briefed reporters about his health condition.
“He has health issues. He has a problem with a disc in his back, and he is wearing a neck brace. He will probably need surgery in the future. He is in good spirits. He is happy to be in Armenia. He wants to stay in Armenia, which is very important,” Sinanyan said.
Later Eulkejian and his wife, Linda, reunited. Video was captured and circulating on social media showing the couple in an emotional embrace after more than five years of separation.
The 70-year-old Vagif Khachatryan, who was captured in 2023 while being taken to Yerevan for heart surgery by the International Committee of the Red Cross, has been transported to a medical center in Yerevan’s Nork Marash District upon arrival in Armenia.
Vagif Khachatryan’s daughter, Vera Khachatryan, took to social media to provide an update on her father’s condition.
“I would like to inform you that my father’s health condition is currently listed as satisfactory. He also conveys his deep gratitude and warm greetings to all of you,” Vera Khachatryan said.
Armenia’s Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan visited Khachatryan at the medical center. Later a spokesperson for the ministry provided an update on all four released captives.
“Three of our four compatriots who returned to Armenia have undergone the necessary examinations, and their health condition has been assessed as satisfactory. They have not been hospitalized. Vagif Khachatryan continues to be under the supervision of doctors. Since yesterday, he has been undergoing all examinations and receiving medical care appropriate to the situation,” Health Ministry spokesperson Mariam Tsatryan told Azatutyun.am on Thursday.
Captive Gevorg Sujyan’s wife also wrote on Facebook: “Thank you Lord for this peaceful day, thank you for this blessing that you have bestowed upon me and for hearing our prayers.”
The relatives of the recently released captives are avoiding contact with the press, as Armenia’s authorities asked the public and the press to allow them the time to regroup and reconnect with their families.
