Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan has asked U.S. Deputy Secretary of State Allison Hooker for details on Washington’s efforts to secure the release of Armenian prisoners held in Baku. He urged that the issue remain a priority for the U.S., Sputnik Armenia reports.
“I brought up this issue during my meeting with the Deputy Secretary, noting that President Trump has publicly committed to working on it. I presented what we’re doing bilaterally and asked what steps the U.S. is taking, requesting that the matter stay on their radar,” Pashinyan told reporters following a Cabinet meeting.
When asked to comment on international media claims that Armenian Foreign Minister Ararat Mirzoyan rejected a U.S. proposal on the POW issue, asserting Armenia would handle it independently, and suggestions that Pashinyan opposes the return of former Artsakh leaders from Baku, he responded: “There’s nothing more to add on those questions.”
Baku has officially confirmed the detention of 23 Armenian prisoners, 17 of whom were captured during Azerbaijan’s September 2023 offensive against Artsakh. Among them are former high-ranking officials, including Ruben Vardanyan, Levon Mnatsakanyan, Davit Manukyan, Davit Babayan, Davit Ishkhanyan, Arkadi Ghukasyan, Bako Sahakyan, and Arayik Harutyunyan.
