ARMENIAN FORMER HOSTAGES SPEAK OUT (LIBERTAS)

Recent interviews conducted by LIBERTAS with former hostages reveal numerous psychological, material, and reintegration challenges, highlighting the urgent need for state protection through the granting of a war victim status, which does not currently exist.

These testimonies illustrate the lives of former hostages after captivity and complement the findings of a psychosocial survey* conducted by INTRA** among a sample of released hostages.

From left to right (unblurred): Hilda Tchoboian (LIBERTAS), Sofik (ARPI), Khatchatour Gasparian (INTRA), Tatevik (ARPI)

At the time of their capture by the enemy, several former hostages were serving in the army under temporary contracts, while others were performing their compulsory military service.

Upon their release, they were placed under medical supervision for two days and subsequently underwent lengthy questioning by state security services. For reasons of its own, the military did not wish to reinstate them.

Afterwards, they were returned to their families without any medical, psychological, or social support.

"All of these men endured various forms of disabling violence during their captivity, making it necessary for their psychosocial problems to be addressed by a dedicated institution," stated Hilda Tchoboian, Coordinator of LIBERTAS.

LIBERTAS established a psychological support program implemented by psychologists from the INTRA Mental Health Centre and the ARPI NGO,*** providing treatment for post-traumatic stress disorders through individual, family, and group sessions.

Interviewed after completing this programme, the former prisoners spoke of their sense of abandonment by the Armenian state and society: since their release, no state authority has inquired about their situation.

The survey shows that many of them, particularly those from disadvantaged backgrounds, face serious material survival difficulties, which further undermine their psychological well-being and aggravate their social marginalisation.

"The State must intervene to freeze bank loans contracted before their capture by the enemy. Instead, the law allows banks to deduct 30% of their meagre salaries, for those fortunate enough to have employment. The unemployed, meanwhile, face legal proceedings for unpaid debts accumulated during their captivity. The lack of income can lead, in some cases, to alcoholism, and in others to involuntary celibacy or family disruption," explained Hilda Tchoboian.

In October 2026, a conference will be held in Yerevan, bringing together experts and national and international institutions to develop and propose an appropriate national policy addressing the problems faced by Armenian hostages.

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LIBERTAS works for the release of Armenian state hostages and the rehabilitation of released prisoners.

*Extract from the INTRA report presenting the results of a survey conducted in 2025 among 39 former Armenian prisoners of war regarding their psychosocial situation, current needs, and areas in which they could benefit from support. Approximately half of the respondents reported psychological problems, and a similar proportion reported social difficulties.

"The survey results indicate that the difficulties encountered by prisoners of war and former prisoners of war who were captured and subsequently returned, as well as by their family members as a result of the war, can be classified as follows:

Financial and economic difficulties (for example, loan obligations, some of which were contracted before captivity and others incurred because of an inability to work due to health reasons, childcare responsibilities, or other causes).

Furthermore, under the current Armenian legislation, persons repatriated after captivity are not covered by health insurance and do not enjoy all the benefits granted to participants in hostilities.

Health-related problems, a significant part of which are linked to the conditions of captivity and illnesses acquired as a result of physical violence during captivity.

Secondary health issues related to various illnesses affecting family members, particularly parents, children, and other first-degree relatives.

Various psychosocial difficulties related to adaptation, stigma and stigmatisation, and the new challenges arising from the above. This component also includes issues concerning integration into the social environment and self-expression after returning from captivity.

Despite certain positive developments in terms of adaptation, the absence or limited availability of support prevents their full integration into their communities.

The report highlights the need for continuous and coordinated psychosocial support, as well as social and economic stabilisation programmes, in order to ensure the long-term well-being and stability of this group."

**INTRA, the Seda Ghazarian Foundation for Mental Health in Yerevan, is LIBERTAS's partner in implementing its psychosocial support programme for former prisoners of war in Armenia.

Directed by Khachatur Gasparyan, INTRA is also supported by the ICRC Delegation in Armenia. Its experts additionally cooperate with the French NGO Santé Arménie and the Vinatier Psychiatric Hospital in Lyon, France.

***ARPI is an Armenian NGO. ARPI's social workers and psychologists work on the ground to provide psychosocial support to former prisoners of war in partnership with INTRA as part of the LIBERTAS programme. At the time of its establishment, ARPI assisted children and women affected by the 1988 earthquake and today notably cooperates with the Aznavour Foundation.