Patel on Armenian Soldiers Held in Baku

The U.S. State Department and Secretary of State Antony Blinken continue to be deeply engaged in the issue of returning Armenian prisoners held by Azerbaijan. This was stated by U.S. State Department Deputy Spokesperson Vedant Patel in response to a question regarding Armenian soldiers detained in Baku's prisons, while emphasizing that there is no new information regarding the process.

During a press briefing, the journalist pointed out that Armenian soldiers have been held in Azerbaijani prisons for four years and that for about a year, following yet another unprovoked attack by Azerbaijan, Armenian political figures from Nagorno-Karabakh have also been incarcerated in Baku's jails. He also referenced Freedom House, noting that since the territories returned under Azerbaijan's control, Nagorno-Karabakh has become the least free area in the world, surpassing even North Korea, Venezuela, Syria, and Afghanistan, and inquired whether Washington is monitoring the situation in Nagorno-Karabakh and whether the U.S. administration can assist in the release of Armenians detained in Baku.

“Regarding the broader situation in the South Caucasus, the U.S. State Department and the Secretary are continuing to be deeply engaged. I have no news related to the process you mentioned. But when it comes to detainees, we are clear and consistent in asserting that every country should treat all detainees with dignity in accordance with international law norms, and should respect their rights,” replied Patel.