Number of Armenian Captives Held in Baku Revealed

Despite the 8th point of the trilateral statement on November 9, 2020, Azerbaijan continues to hold 33 captured Armenian citizens in captivity to this day. This is stated in the report on the implementation process and results of the Armenian government's program for 2022.

According to the government, during 2022, it managed to ensure the return of 31 captured Armenian citizens. The Prime Ministers of Armenia and the Presidents of Russia and Azerbaijan signed a joint statement on November 9, 2020. The 8th point of the statement mentions that "the exchange of prisoners of war and other detained persons, as well as the bodies of the deceased, is being carried out;" however, so far, Azerbaijan has not returned all the captives.

The majority of the Armenian captives held in Azerbaijani prisons have already been sentenced on various charges ranging from illegal border crossing to terrorism. Baku has repeatedly claimed that it has returned all captives, labeling the citizens held in Azerbaijani prisons as "terrorists."

In the report published today, the Armenian government notes that Yerevan is pursuing the issue of the captured citizens and their return in all international platforms, including the European Court of Human Rights and the International Court of Justice.