Armenian MP says issue of Armenians jailed in Azerbaijan has 'political solution'

An Armenian opposition lawmaker said on Friday that the fate of Armenians imprisoned in Azerbaijan can only be resolved through political means, following politically motivated verdicts issued by an Azerbaijani court against former Artsakh leaders.

On Thursday, the Baku Military Court sentenced five former Artsakh leaders to life imprisonment, while two others received 20-year prison terms.

In a social media post, Tigran Abrahamyan, a member of the opposition Pativ Unem faction, said the rulings were political in nature and argued that any resolution Armenian prisoners must likewise be pursued through political channels.

“Just as the decision of the Baku court is political, the resolution of the issue of Armenians imprisoned there can only be political,” Abrahamyan wrote.

He added that the effectiveness of any effort would depend on the degree to which the issue is prioritized within Armenia’s domestic political agenda, as well as on active engagement with international actors and institutions.

Abrahamyan also criticized Armenia’s current leadership, accusing it of pursuing policies that contributed to the loss of Artsakh, the forced displacement of its Armenian population and the detention of Armenians by Azerbaijan.

“Nevertheless, I reiterate that the way forward is political and solutions must be sought in the political arena,” he said.