The operation took place on 23 April on the road between the Armenian town of Ijevan and the Azerbaijani town of Gazakh, at the international border.

ICRC delegates had visited the serviceman on several occasions prior to his repatriation in order to assess his treatment and conditions of detention. The organization had also made it possible for him and his relatives to exchange family news.

Acting as a neutral intermediary and in accordance with its mandate, the ICRC facilitated the serviceman's repatriation at the request of both the Armenian and the Azerbaijani authorities. Before the operation took place, the detainee had confirmed to ICRC delegates that he was returning of his own free will.