Christian Leaders Urge Trump to Rescue 23 Armenian Hostages from Azerbaijan

A coalition of American Christian leaders has called on U.S. President Donald Trump to take immediate action to secure the release of 24 Christian hostages currently detained in Azerbaijan. The group, which includes prominent religious figures and human rights advocates, sent a formal letter highlighting the dire situation of 23 Armenian Christians and one Azerbaijani Christian convert.

The Christian leaders addressed their letter to Trump, emphasizing their belief that he is the only one capable of securing the release of these detainees. They referenced credible reports of torture and abuse, stressing the urgency of intervention to prevent further suffering. Among the hostages is Ruben Vardanyan, an Armenian businessman and philanthropist, whose condition has become critical after 22 days on a hunger strike in Azerbaijani detention.

“We believe you are the only one who can rescue these Christian hostages,” the letter states. The signatories accused the Biden administration of inaction, recalling that nearly two years ago, Azerbaijan forcibly displaced over 120,000 Christian Armenians from their ancestral lands. They claim that since then, the remaining Armenian captives, along with the lone Azerbaijani Christian convert, have been subjected to continuous torture.

Adding to their concerns, the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC)—the only organization allowed to monitor the hostages' conditions—was recently forced to leaveAzerbaijan. This move has heightened fears that the detainees may be suffering in conditions with no oversight.

In their plea, the Christian leaders praised Trump for his past support of Armenia and Christian communities facing persecution worldwide.

“Thank you for your support for Armenia and persecuted Christians during your campaign,” they wrote. “Your statement was powerful and sent a clear message to those who would undermine Armenia’s security and their rich Christian heritage as the first country in the history of the world to embrace the gospel of Christ.”

Their message reflects the long-standing ties between Christian advocacy groups and Trump, who has often positioned himself as a defender of religious freedom.

The letter was signed by a diverse group of leaders from various Christian organizations and advocacy groups, including:

• Dr. Alveda King, Chair, Center for the American Dream

• Hon. Michele Bachmann, Dean, Robertson School of Government

• Sohrab Ahmari, U.S. Editor, UnHerd

• Rod Dreher, Journalist and Author

• Troy Miller, President & CEO, National Religious Broadcasters

• Ambassador Sam Brownback, Co-Chair, IRF Summit

• Sean Feucht, Missionary, Musician, Activist, Author, and Speaker

• William Wolfe, Executive Director, Center for Baptist Leadership

• Bob Vander Plaats, President and CEO, The FAMiLY Leader

• Dede Laugesen, Executive Director, Save the Persecuted Christians

• Suzanne Bock Grishman, Executive Director, Mercury One, Inc. & The Nazarene Fund

• Ambassador Alberto Fernandez, Vice President, Middle East Media Research Institute

• Dr. Jim Garlow, CEO, Well Versed

• Rev. Rosemary Schindler Garlow, CEO, Schindler’s Ark

• Dr. David Curry, USCIRF Commissioner

• Nadine Maenza, President, IRF Secretariat

• Denise Bubeck, Board Member, Save Armenia

• Dr. Paul Murray, International VP, Global Peace Foundation

Their collective voices represent a strong push from Christian advocacy circles for decisive action to prevent further harm to the detainees.

The situation in Azerbaijan is part of a larger pattern of religious persecution that has drawn international concern. The forced displacement of Christian Armenians from Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) in 2023 has been widely condemned by human rights organizations, with accusations that Azerbaijan engaged in ethnic cleansing. The capture and reported abuse of Christian detainees add another layer to the crisis, raising alarms about religious freedom and human rights violations in the region.

Many experts believe that the hostages are being used as political leverage, and without external intervention, their plight could worsen. With Azerbaijan restricting access to international organizations, advocacy groups argue that diplomatic and public pressure is essential to securing their release.

For now, the hostages remain in Azerbaijani detention, their fate uncertain. The coalition’s plea shows a growing concern within Christian communities worldwide—one that seeks not only justice for these captives but also a reaffirmation of global religious freedoms.