Christian preacher and Donald Trump supporter Joel Tennin has publicly urged the former U.S. president and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to demand the immediate release of all Armenian captives held in Azerbaijan. Tennin made the call on his official Facebook page.
“I call on President Donald Trump and Secretary of State Marco Rubio to demand Azerbaijan immediately release all Armenian hostages. If peace has truly been established between Armenia and Azerbaijan, then release them; otherwise, what is your justification?” Tennin wrote.
He also shared photos of the Armenian detainees held in Azerbaijani prisons, including former leaders of Artsakh.
Tennin is known for his pro-Armenian stance and vocal criticism of Azerbaijani actions.
In September 2023, following a nine-month blockade and the ethnic cleansing of the entire Armenian population from Nagorno-Karabakh, Azerbaijan captured several former Artsakh officials. Among them were ex-presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, Arayik Harutyunyan, former state minister Ruben Vardanyan, former foreign minister Davit Babayan, and others. They face fabricated charges that could lead to life sentences. A politically charged trial began in Baku on January 17.
