Azerbaijan Releases Four Armenian Prisoners in "Incomplete Exchange"
Partial Prisoner Release Highlights Ongoing Crisis
Azerbaijan has released four Armenian prisoners in what officials describe as a step toward peace, but human rights advocates are calling it an “incomplete exchange” that leaves at least 20 Armenian Christians still detained under questionable legal circumstances.
Who Was Released?
Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan identified the released prisoners as Gevorg Sujyan, Davit Davtyan, Vicken Euljekjian and Vagif Khachatryan. The men were handed over at the Khakari Bridge and have returned to Armenian territory. Three were detained following Azerbaijan’s 2020 takeover of Nagorno-Karabakh, while Khachatryan was arrested in July 2023 during a Red Cross medical evacuation.
The Larger Picture: 20+ Still Detained
While this release represents progress, Azerbaijan continues to hold at least 20 other Armenian prisoners, most of whom are former officials of the self-declared Republic of Artsakh. These individuals face serious charges including terrorism and war crimes, with trials being conducted behind closed doors with limited access to legal counsel.
Among those still detained is Ruben Vardanyan, a prominent businessman and former Artsakh official facing 42 charges including terrorism and potentially a life sentence. His case has drawn international attention from human rights organizations and bipartisan support in the U.S. Congress.
Context of the Peace Process
This prisoner release comes as part of ongoing peace negotiations following Azerbaijan’s 2023 military operation that forced over 100,000 ethnic Armenians to flee Nagorno-Karabakh. The talks, which began after the August 8, 2025 Washington summit hosted by President Trump, remain stalled over various issues including constitutional changes demanded by Baku.
Why This Matters
The treatment of Armenian prisoners remains a critical obstacle to genuine peace in the South Caucasus. Rights groups have raised concerns about the conditions of detention, lack of due process, and the characterization of these trials as politically motivated rather than legitimate legal proceedings.
With the International Committee of the Red Cross having been expelled from Azerbaijan in 2024, there is now no independent monitoring of prisoner conditions or communication channels between detainees and their families.
Read the Full Report
For complete details on the prisoner release and the broader context of Armenian detainees in Azerbaijan, read the full article from The Christian Post:
What You Can Do
The Armenian prisoners still held in Baku need your voice:
Contact Your Representatives: Urge Congress to make the release of all Armenian prisoners a prerequisite for any U.S. engagement with Azerbaijan.
Raise Awareness: Share information about the detained Armenians, including Ruben Vardanyan and other former Artsakh officials facing politically motivated charges.
Support Advocacy Efforts: Join organizations working to secure the release of Armenian prisoners and ensure their treatment meets international standards.
Pray for the Prisoners: Remember the 20+ Armenian Christians still detained, separated from their families and denied basic religious freedoms.