US EditionAzerbaijan Releases Four Armenian Prisoners in Sign of Deepening Peace
The four prisoners were serving 15 to 20-year sentences for serious crimes; their release follows a U.S.-brokered peace deal aimed at easing tensions between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
- On Jan 14, Azerbaijan released four Armenian prisoners arrested during wars in 2020 and 2023, Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said they were in satisfactory health and headed for Yerevan after being freed at the Khakari Bridge.
- The U.S.-brokered peace agreement last August framed normalization efforts, but major hurdles remain including Azerbaijan's demand that Armenia change its constitution and prosecutions of 15 ethnic Armenian ex-leaders.
- Three of the four Armenian prisoners were detained after the 44-day 2020 war, and Vagif Khachaturyan was arrested in July 2023, serving prison terms of 15 to 20 years for genocide, espionage, and weapons smuggling.
- Armenia's justice ministry said it released two Syrian citizens, Yousef Alaabet al-Hajji and Muhrab Muhammad al-Shkhari, who were returned to Syria via Turkey; nearly all of Karabakh's roughly 100,000 ethnic Armenians fled to Armenia after Baku took control in 2023.
- Azerbaijan is pursuing life sentences for 15 ethnic Armenian ex-leaders and officials, while Ruben Vardanyan faces 42 charges including terrorism, complicating reconciliation efforts.
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Gevorg Sujyan, Davit Davtyan, Viken Euljekjian, and Vagif Khachatryan handed to Yerevan via the Hakari Bridge, says Armenian Prime Minister - Anadolu Agency
Baku detained them during the fighting in the Nagorny Karabakh conflict zone.
Azerbaijan releases four Armenian prisoners in sign of deepening peace
Azerbaijan has released four Armenian prisoners arrested during wars between the two countries in 2020 and 2023, Armenia said on Wednesday, in a further sign of normalising ties between the long-standing foes.
Armenian Legal Center Statement on Release of Armenian Captives
Release of 4 Armenian Detainees Does Not Erase Years of Illegal Detention or Ongoing Hostage-Taking by Azerbaijan WASHINGTON/YEREVAN – The Armenian Legal Center for Justice & Human Rights welcomed the safe return to Armenia of Vagif Khachatryan, Vigen Euljekjian, Gevorg Sujyan, and Davit Davtyan, who were transferred today from Azerbaijani custody after enduring years of illegal, politically motivated, and inhumane detention. Their release bring…
Four Armenians released, but Azerbaijan’s illegal detentions continue
WASHINGTON, D.C. / YEREVAN — The Armenian Legal Center for Justice & Human Rights (ALC) welcomes the safe return to Armenia of Vagif Khachatryan, Vigen Euljekjian, Gevorg Sujyan and Davit Davtyan, who were transferred today from Azerbaijani custody after enduring years of illegal, politically motivated and inhumane detention. Their release brings relief to their families and communities — but it does not deliver justice, nor does it cure ongoing…
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