A protest is taking place in Yerevan calling on the US Vice President to facilitate the release of Armenian prisoners held in Baku

ArmInfo. A rally is taking place outside the Armenian presidential residence at 26 Baghramyan Street amid US Vice President J.D. Vance's visit to the Armenian capital. Protesters are demanding the release of Armenian prisoners illegally held in Baku.

Several hours before Vance's arrival, a large number of police officers gathered outside the presidential residence. They formed a barrier, blocking traffic in the direction of Baghramyan Avenue and Demirchyan Street. Protesters arrived at the presidential residence, where talks between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Vance were scheduled to take place, carrying photographs of Armenians held in Baku prisons and posters reading, "No peace as long as Armenian hostages remain in Baku prisons!" and "Release the Armenian hostages!" As the US Vice President's convoy arrived, protesters began chanting, "Free the Armenian hostages!" However, the protesters were invisible to the arriving American delegation, thanks to the police wall blocking the approaches to the residence.

During the protest, Azerbaijani scholar Tatevik Hayrapetyan emphasized that the release of all Armenian prisoners must be a top priority for the peaceful settlement of relations and the achievement of peace. She expressed confidence that the American side can take tangible steps to achieve this goal, recalling US President Donald Trump's words during the Washington summit on August 8, when he stated that Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev might heed his request.

"It is crucial that this message be conveyed and that J.D. Vance raise this issue during his visit to Baku," Hayrapetyan noted.

In this regard, Armenia's first Human Rights Ombudsman, Larisa Alaverdyan, emphasized that Armenians are obligated to demand that the US representative fulfill the promises made by the American side. She recalled how President Trump promised to protect Christians during his election campaign. Alaverdyan noted that in a situation where the Armenian authorities are failing to take action to free the prisoners, the public must assume responsibility. Moreover, she expressed her conviction that it is the Armenian authorities themselves who are preventing the return of Armenian prisoners to their homeland. Therefore, she considers the protest appropriate in light of Vance's visit, adding that this is a necessary measure necessitated by the inaction of the Armenian authorities.

"The issue we are raising is, first and foremost, humanitarian in nature. If the authorities are unwilling to resolve these problems for whatever reason, the public is obliged to do so. Today, the Armenian public has gathered here to declare the following: Armenians held in Azerbaijani captivity are political hostages. Furthermore, the courts in Azerbaijan have delivered shameful verdicts," Alaverdyan noted. The human rights activist pointed to two options for resolving this humanitarian issue: the authorities should appeal to the European Court of Human Rights or demand that Azerbaijan hand over all Armenian prisoners of war. "They must be handed over to the Armenian side, and once in Armenia, they must be held accountable for their actions in accordance with international and domestic law," the human rights activist concluded.

As a reminder, Vance will be in Yerevan from February 9-10, after which he will travel to Baku, where he will hold meetings on February 10-11.

It should be noted that the exact number of Armenian prisoners of war and hostages held in Azerbaijani prisons remains unknown. Experts estimate the number to be several hundred. Azerbaijani authorities currently confirm the presence of 19 Armenians in their custody. Among those held in Azerbaijani captivity are eight former and current members of the military-political leadership of Artsakh. These include former Artsakh presidents Arkady Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Arayik Harutyunyan; former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan; as well as Parliament Speaker Davit Ishkhanyan; former Commander-in-Chief of the Artsakh Defense Army, General Levon Mnatsakanyan; General David Manukyan; and former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan.

Today, a Baku puppet court sentenced Arayik Harutyunyan, Davit Babayan, Davit Ishkhanyan, Davit Manukyan, and Levon Mnatsakanyan to life imprisonment on trumped-up charges, while Bako Sahakyan and Arkady Ghukasyan were sentenced to 20 years in prison. The so-called court sentenced the remaining Artsakh residents to up to 15 years in prison. The verdict has not yet been announced for philanthropist Ruben Vardanyan, whose case has been separated into separate proceedings.