Four Freed, Nineteen Remain: Calls Grow for Release of Armenian POWs

After the release of four Armenian prisoners from Azerbaijani custody, attention has turned to other Armenians who remain imprisoned in Baku. One of them is Ludwig Mkrtchyan, who has been held for more than five years.

Both Euljekjian and Mkrtchyan are represented by attorney Luciana Minassian. She is also the President of the Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief (SOAR) Buenos Aires. After Euljekjian’s return, Minassian released a statement focusing on Mkrtchyan’s continued detention.

The statement says that the release of one prisoner does not mean justice has been achieved while others remain behind bars. She raised concerns about the lack of information regarding Mkrtchyan’s condition, his legal rights, and his treatment in Azerbaijani custody.

“Today, while we welcome the long-awaited release of Vicken Euljekjian, our conscience does not allow us to celebrate in silence. Relief for one family cannot erase the pain of another. Ludwig Mkrtchyan remains imprisoned in Baku after more than five years of captivity.

Ludwig is not a number. He is a husband, a son, a human being whose life has been suspended by prolonged detention, silence, and uncertainty. His continued captivity raises profound humanitarian and legal concerns, especially given the lack of transparency surrounding his condition, his rights, and his treatment.

 The international community must understand this clearly:

 The release of one prisoner is not justice if others remain behind bars.

We cannot allow Ludwig’s name to fade now that attention has shifted. His wife, Hranush Shahbazyan, continues to endure the same agony, the same sleepless nights, the same fear that thousands of families know too well. Her strength deserves solidarity, not indifference.

SOAR will continue to speak, to advocate, and to demand. We will not stop with one release. We will not accept partial justice. We call on international institutions, governments, humanitarian bodies, journalists, and civil society to renew pressure for the immediate and unconditional release of Ludwig Mkrtchyan and all remaining Armenian detainees.”

Mkrtchyan’s wife, Hranush Shahbazyan, continues to wait for news about her husband as he remains in prison.

So far, four Armenian prisoners of war have been returned from Azerbaijani custody. However, 19 Armenian POWs and detainees are still being held in Azerbaijani jails.

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