Trump Supporter Tenny Calls for Release of Armenian Hostages from Baku

Evangelical church member, Christian preacher, and supporter of former U.S. President Donald Trump, Joel Tenny, has called on the U.S. leadership to demand the release of all Armenian hostages from Azerbaijan on his Facebook page.

“I urge President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to demand the immediate release of all Armenian hostages from Azerbaijan. If there is truly peace in Armenia and Azerbaijan, then release them; otherwise, what justifications will you have?” Tenny wrote.

He also published photos showing identified individuals held in Baku prisons, including former leaders of the Artsakh political-military sphere.

Joel Tenny is known for his pro-Armenian stance; he was even offered the position of ambassador to Armenia in the past but declined. The preacher has close ties with several representatives from the U.S. State Department and actively supported Trump’s presidential campaign in his home state of Iowa.

It is worth noting that the trial concerning former political and military leaders of Artsakh has been underway in Baku since January 17. Among the accused are former presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Arayik Harutyunyan, former commander of the defense army Levon Mnatsakanyan, former Foreign Minister David Babayan, and others. The case of former State Minister Ruben Vardanyan is being examined separately.