On January 14, Azerbaijan transferred four ethnic Armenians, previously held in the country’s correctional facilities, to the authorities of Armenia. The transfer took place within the framework of humanitarian agreements between Baku and Yerevan and was carried out with the participation of official representatives from both sides. According to the Armenian government, all transferred individuals were brought to Armenian territory and underwent an initial medical examination, which determined that their condition is satisfactory, with no threat to life or health.

The individuals in question are Vagif Khachatryan, Gevorg Sudzhyan, David Davtyan, and Vigen Euldzekdjyan. They were convicted by Azerbaijani courts in different years on charges related to the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict, including illegal border crossing, participation in combat operations, and other criminal offenses. The Azerbaijani side has consistently emphasized that these individuals were not considered prisoners of war but were processed under criminal cases in accordance with national legislation. Nevertheless, their transfer was carried out as a humanitarian gesture, without altering Baku’s legal positions regarding each individual case.

The transfer itself fits into the broader context of gradual measures aimed at reducing tension between Azerbaijan and Armenia following the military phase of the conflict. In recent months, despite ongoing disagreements over a peace treaty, border delimitation, and communications, the parties have occasionally resorted to targeted humanitarian actions, which are seen as tools to build a minimal level of trust. In this sense, the transfer of prisoners signals Baku’s willingness to demonstrate flexibility on the humanitarian track without linking such decisions directly to political concessions.

For the Armenian authorities, the return of the four citizens carries significant domestic political weight, as the issue of Armenians held in Azerbaijan remains sensitive to public opinion. Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan publicly confirmed that the transferred individuals have no serious health problems and emphasized that efforts to return the remaining detainees will continue through diplomatic channels. At the same time, Yerevan recognizes that future similar steps will depend not only on humanitarian considerations but also on the overall progress of negotiations with Baku.

From a regional political perspective, this episode is also being closely monitored by international actors, including the EU and the United States, which consistently call on both sides to undertake humanitarian gestures and strengthen confidence-building measures. However, experts note that, despite its positive symbolism, the transfer of four individuals does not represent an automatic breakthrough in the peace process. Rather, it confirms the tendency to use humanitarian initiatives as one of the few working channels of interaction between Baku and Yerevan amid ongoing structural disagreements.

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14.01.2026 02:48