FREE ARMENIAN HOSTAGES
SPECIAL PROJECT
FREE ARMENIAN HOSTAGES

Tracking the Armenian hostages illegally held by Azerbaijan.

19ARMENIANS STILL HELD
2,170DAYS SINCE FIRST RECORDED CAPTURE
They are not forgotten.
Free Armenian HostagesBako Sahakyan
FREE ARMENIAN HOSTAGES

Bako Sahakyan

Third President of Artsakh (2007-2020)

Held Political Leader
CAPTURED3 Oct 2023Artsakh
DAYS IN CAPTIVITY1,075and counting
CURRENT STATUSHeld
PLACE OF DETENTIONBaku
CASE STATUSSentenced to 20 years in prison on 5 Feb 2026
TIMELINE

Case timeline

2007 - 2020

Serves as President of Artsakh

Bako Sahakyan served as President of Artsakh from 2007 to 2020.

20 Sep 2023

Artsakh Accepts Ceasefire Agreement, Agrees to Disarm Defense Army of Artsakh

Artsakh authorities have accepted Russian peacekeepers' mediation for a ceasefire by making the decision to disarm the Artsakh Defense Army and withdrawal of all forces. President Samvel Shahramanyan…

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3 Oct 2023

Azerbaijani forces illegally took him hostage

Recorded location: Artsakh. Transferred to Baku.

15 Apr 2024

ICRC visits current and former Artsakh leaders illegally detained in Baku

ICRC visits current and former Artsakh leaders who have been illegally detained in Baku. They were also able to speak to their family members. APA reported the news…

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13 Nov 2025

Azerbaijan Demands 16-Year to Life Sentences in an Illegitimate Trial of Artsakh’s Leaders and Civilians

Azerbaijan’s prosecution has brought its staged trial in Baku to its final phase, requesting the most severe and politically motivated sentences yet against the detained leadership and civilians…

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5 Feb 2026

Sentenced to 20 years in prison on 5 Feb 2026

5 Feb 2026

Azerbaijan Sentences Former Artsakh Leaders to 20 Years to Life Imprisonment in Sham Trial

Today, Azerbaijani courts announced multiple life imprisonment sentences in sham proceedings in Baku, concluding a trial against former Artsakh political leaders, military officials, and civilians that lacked any…

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24 Jun 2026

U.S. Congressional Leaders Demand Release of Armenian Hostages Held by Azerbaijan

Members of Congress joined a Capitol Hill press conference on June 24 marking the 1,000th day of Azerbaijani detention of Armenian prisoners of war, former Artsakh officials, and…

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1 Aug 2026

Corsican Assembly Calls for Immediate Release of 19 Armenian Hostages Held in Azerbaijan

The Corsican Assembly has adopted a resolution calling for the immediate release of 19 Armenian prisoners unlawfully held in Azerbaijan, according to the Artsakh Support Association (ASA). The…

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6 Aug 2026

Baku “Court” Rejects Appeals of Armenian Hostages, Leaves Illegal Sentences Unchanged

The Baku “court” has rejected the appeals of Armenian hostages and upheld the sentences imposed on February 5, 2026, leaving all convictions and prison terms unchanged. The following…

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31 Aug 2026

Armenian Human Rights Defender Takes Baku Trials of 15 Armenian Hostages to ECtHR

On August 21, Siranush Sahakyan filed an application with the European Court of Human Rights over violations of rights of 15 Armenians illegally being held in Azerbaijan. The…

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