Armenian Church Urges Global Action to Free POWs Held in Azerbaijan

The Armenian Church has called on the international community to take urgent measures to ensure the safe return of Armenian prisoners and hostages held in Azerbaijan. The Supreme Spiritual Council, the highest religious body of the Armenian Apostolic Church, convened at the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin under the leadership of His Holiness Karekin II, Supreme Patriarch and Catholicos of All Armenians, to address the issue.

The Supreme Spiritual Council strongly condemned Azerbaijan’s treatment of Armenian prisoners, stating that their unlawful detention and mistreatment are part of a broader pattern of hostility and aggression against the Armenian people and the Republic of Armenia.

“It is evident that the trials, conducted in blatant violation of the fundamental principles of international law, are accompanied by the torture and inhumane treatment of the captives,” the Council declared. The statement further criticized Azerbaijan’s actions as an attempt to rewrite history and misrepresent the struggle of the people of Artsakh (Nagorno-Karabakh) for self-determination.

The Armenian Church raised concerns about sham trials against Armenian captives, claiming that Azerbaijan is using coercion and torture to extract false confessions. “Through these sham trials and the false testimonies obtained under torture from Armenian captives, the Azerbaijani authorities endeavor to secure verdicts that will serve their insidious and far-reaching objectives,” the Council said.

In addition, the Council accused Azerbaijani authorities of deliberately blocking visits from international legal representatives and human rights organizations, denying prisoners even the most basic rights, including access to spiritual care.

The Council stressed the need for unity among Armenia’s state institutions and global Armenian organizations to end the violence against Armenian captives and secure their immediate release. It urged the Armenian government to take decisive action, utilizing all available diplomatic, legal, and political resources to pressure Azerbaijan.

Moreover, the Armenian Church called upon world leaders, particularly those of the OSCE Minsk Group Co-Chair countries, and international human rights organizations to take stronger action against Azerbaijan to ensure the swift repatriation of Armenian captives.

The statement emphasized that true peace in the region can only be achieved through justice and the recognition of the rights of the Armenians of Artsakh. The Council warned that Azerbaijan’s ongoing actions pose a significant threat not only to Armenian sovereignty but also to regional stability.

“We offer our prayers and express our support to our beloved sons in captivity, exhorting them to refrain from protest actions that may pose an immediate threat to their lives and well-being,” the Council said. Specifically, the Church addressed Ruben Vardanyan, a prominent Armenian philanthropist and political figure currently imprisoned in Azerbaijan, urging him to end his hunger strike and continue advocating for the right to a free and dignified life.

Concluding its statement, the Supreme Spiritual Council turned to faith, calling upon Almighty God to bring strength and solace to all Armenian captives and their families. “We lift up our supplications to Almighty God on behalf of all captives, the afflicted, and their families, beseeching the Lord’s blessings and aid upon them all.”

The Armenian Church's appeal highlights the urgent humanitarian crisis facing Armenian prisoners in Azerbaijan. It calls on both Armenian and international actors to take immediate and effective steps to ensure justice, human rights, and peace in the region.