Statement on the Sentencing of Armenian Detainees in Azerbaijan and
the Need for Continued Peace Efforts in the South Caucasus
The Socialist International expresses its outrage and deep concern on the decision announced on Thursday 5 February by the Baku Military Court on long prison sentences for 15 Armenian defendants, out of the 19 Armenian detainees still held in Azerbaijan and arrested in the context of the former Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.
This ruling, which includes five life imprisonment sentences, goes against the spirit of the efforts for peace and reconciliation.
We are taking note of the fact that the Azerbaijani leadership, by signing the Washington Declaration, made an important step, allowing also -for the first time in decades – the transit of cargo from its territory into Armenia. In January 2026, it released four Armenians serving prison sentences in Azerbaijan after being arrested in 2020 and 2023.
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In this spirit, joining our voice with other international institutions, we appeal to the Azerbaijani authorities to build further on the current positive momentum and release all Armenian detainees in Azerbaijan’s custody. Such a gesture would represent a significant proof of goodwill and will significantly contribute to stability in South Caucasus.
ARF Armenian Cause Central Office
