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Unlawful detention and sham trials of Armenian hostages, including high-ranking political representatives from Nagorno-Karabakh, by Azerbaijan

TA-10-2025-0038 · P10_TA(2025)0038 · PE769.758

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✦ In short · AI summary of this text, generated 4 Sept 2026

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The European Parliament condemns Azerbaijan's detention of 23 Armenian hostages and demands their immediate release, denouncing sham trials and rights violations. It calls for EU observation of trials, sanctions against Azerbaijani officials, ICC investigation, and suspension of the EU-Azerbaijan energy deal unless conditions are met.

Key points

  1. Condemns the unjust detention of Armenian hostages and demands their immediate and unconditional release.
  2. Denounces sham trials and systematic violations of fundamental rights, calling for fair trials, medical access, and independent investigation into ill-treatment.
  3. Expresses concern over closure of ICRC and UN offices in Azerbaijan, hindering support and oversight, and calls for review.
  4. Calls on EU and Member States' embassies to observe trials and visit hostages; VP/HR and EU Special Representative to visit them.
  5. Calls for sanctions under the Global Human Rights Sanctions Regime against Azerbaijani leaders and officials, naming three prosecutors and judges.
  6. Calls on the ICC to investigate forced displacement, persecution, and ethnic cleansing of Armenians in Nagorno-Karabakh.
  7. Calls for full implementation of ICJ orders, including protection of persons captured in relation to the 2020 war.
  8. Reiterates call to suspend the 2022 EU-Azerbaijan energy memorandum; future agreements conditional on release of political prisoners, human rights, peace agreement, and right of return.

Who is affected

  • Armenian hostages in Azerbaijan, including former Nagorno-Karabakh officials and prisoners of war.
  • Azerbaijani authorities and officials, including named prosecutors and judges, face sanctions and demands for fair treatment.
  • EU and Member States' embassies in Azerbaijan are called to observe trials and visit hostages.
  • International Criminal Court and International Court of Justice are called upon to act.

Figures and deadlines

  • 23 Armenian hostages are detained in Azerbaijan.