U.S. House committee backs call for immediate release of Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan

(Horizon Media / WASHINGTON) — The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committee approved an amendment on July 22 calling on Azerbaijan to immediately and unconditionally release all Armenian prisoners and hostages in its custody.

The measure, backed by the Armenian National Committee of America, passed by a 44-7 vote. It was introduced by Congressional Armenian Caucus Vice Chair Brad Sherman, a Democrat from California, and received the support of committee Chairman Brian Mast, a Florida Republican.

Following the vote, Sherman said the committee had formally placed Congress on record in support of Armenians being unjustly and illegally detained in Azerbaijan.

“I will continue fighting to free Armenians unjustly and illegally held, tortured, and abused by Azerbaijan,” Sherman said.

The amendment had initially advanced before the committee on June 10 after Sherman agreed to remove language related to the possible application of Section 907 of the Freedom Support Act.

During the earlier committee debate, Sherman cited documented cases of abuse and executions involving Armenian prisoners of war, including incidents recorded and circulated on social media. He said Washington must unequivocally support the immediate release of all Armenian POWs and political prisoners.

Sherman also linked the detainees’ release to broader U.S. efforts to establish lasting peace in the South Caucasus, arguing that freeing Armenian prisoners would constitute a significant confidence-building step.

Azerbaijan continues to illegally hold several former political and military leaders of Artsakh following its September 2023 military offensive and the forced displacement of the indigenous Armenian population.

Former Artsakh State Minister Ruben Vardanyan has been sentenced to 20 years in prison by a court in Baku. Former Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan, former Defence Army commander Levon Mnatsakanyan, former deputy commander Davit Manukyan, former foreign minister Davit Babayan and parliament speaker Davit Ishkhanyan were sentenced to life imprisonment.

Former Artsakh presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan were each sentenced to 20 years in prison.