Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has said that the Azerbaijani serviceman who crossed the border and was detained in Armenia will remain in the country for some time.

Axar.az reports that he said the relevant procedures in the criminal case will be carried out in Armenia.

“The investigation is ongoing, and he is currently under arrest,” Pashinyan said.

Asked about the possibility of an exchange, Pashinyan did not give a definitive answer.

“Suppose we tell them, ‘Give us one of the prisoners, and we will hand over this soldier.’ But what will we give them tomorrow if our soldier crosses into their territory?” he added.

Pashinyan was also asked why residents of the village of Sheki were not informed despite the Azerbaijani side notifying Armenia’s National Security Service that the serviceman was missing. He said there had been no evidence that the serviceman had crossed into Armenian territory.

It is worth noting that reports of serviceman Nasimi Musayev’s detention emerged on October 1. The following day, a two-month pretrial detention order was issued against him.

N. Musayev is alleged to have left his military unit without authorization on September 26.