Misha Melkumyan, an 84-year-old Armenian civilian captured by Azerbaijan amid hostilities in Nagorno-Karabakh, died overnight, Armenian Human Rights Defender Arman Tatoyan said Friday, October 30.

"Taking into account all the evidence and facts on inhuman treatment and cruelty of Armenians captured by Azerbaijani Armed Forces, it becomes clear what could have caused the death of our compatriot," Tatoyan said.

Another civilian, 85-year-old Yevgenia Babayan returned to the Armenian side on Thursday, but Melkumyan's health condition did not allow him to be transferred.

Azerbaijan, with help from Turkey and Syrian and Libyan mercenaries deployed by Ankara, started a war against Karabakh (Artsakh) in the morning of September 27. The Armenian side has reported deaths and injuries both among the civilian population and the military. Foreign and local journalists too have been injured in Azeri shelling of towns and villages.