FREE ARMENIAN HOSTAGES
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FREE ARMENIAN HOSTAGES

Tracking the Armenian hostages illegally held by Azerbaijan.

19ARMENIANS STILL HELD
2,169DAYS SINCE FIRST RECORDED CAPTURE
They are not forgotten.
Free Armenian HostagesDavit Ishkhanyan
FREE ARMENIAN HOSTAGES

Davit Ishkhanyan

Chairman of the National Assembly of Artsakh (2023)

Held Political Leader
CAPTURED3 Oct 2023Artsakh
DAYS IN CAPTIVITY1,074and counting
CURRENT STATUSHeld
PLACE OF DETENTIONBaku
CASE STATUSSentenced to life imprisonment on 5 Feb 2026
TIMELINE

Case timeline

2023

Serves as Chairman of the National Assembly of Artsakh

David Ishkhanyan served as Chairman of the National Assembly of Artsakh in 2023.

3 Oct 2023

Azerbaijani forces illegally took him hostage

Recorded location: Artsakh. Transferred to Baku.

20 Mar 2024

Speaker of Armenia’s National Assembly Declines Official Inter-Parliamentary Talks with Artsakh

The Speaker of Armenia's National Assembly, Alen Simonyan, declined formal inter-parliamentary discussions with representatives from Artsakh. Despite meeting with Gagik Bagunts, the Acting Speaker of the Artsakh Parliament,…

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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 life imprisonment 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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6 May 2026

“This Trial Is Against the Armenian People”: David Ishkhanyan Appeals from Baku Prison

David Ishkhanyan, the former President of the National Assembly of Artsakh, who has been held in ադրբեջանական captivity since October 3, 2023, has appealed from a Baku prison…

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7 May 2026

Davit Ishkhanyan’s Family Criticizes Armenia’s Human Rights Defender Over Lack of Action on Baku Hostages

Yesterday, Davit Ishkhanyan, Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh and an Armenian hostage held in Baku, issued a voice appeal from prison to Armenia’s…

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14 May 2026

Davit Ishkhanyan’s Son Armen Ishkhanyan Says Pashinyan Admitted Armenian Hostages Are Being Abandoned

Armen Ishkhanyan, the son of Davit Ishkhanyan, former Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh and an Armenian hostage held in Baku, accused Nikol Pashinyan…

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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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2 Jul 2026

Artsakh Parliament Speaker Ashot Danielyan Resigns

Ashot Danielyan has announced his resignation as Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh. "After lengthy reflection, discussions, and consultations over the past several days,…

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9 Jul 2026

Davit Ishkhanyan says Baku trial targets Armenian people and statehood in new statement

Nearly three years after being illegally taken hostage by Azerbaijan during the ethnic cleansing of Artsakh, former Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Artsakh Davit…

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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

“Our Goal Is to Reach an International Court”: Davit Ishkhanyan Sends Message from Baku

Davit Ishkhanyan has issued a new message from prison in Baku following the conclusion of the latest stage of the criminal proceedings against the former military and political…

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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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19 Aug 2026

“We May Be Behind Bars, but We Are Not on Our Knees”: Artsakh’s Former Foreign Minister David Babayan Slams Appeal Trial as “Theater”

Another voice from behind the walls of a Baku prison. David Babayan, former Foreign Minister of the Republic of Artsakh, has spoken after the conclusion of the appellate…

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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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9 Sep 2026

Davit Ishkhanyan raises alarm from Baku over ongoing violations of Armenian hostages’ rights

Davit Ishkhanyan has issued a new message from prison in Baku, detailing the continued violations of the rights of the Armenian hostages illegally held in Azerbaijan. The Speaker…

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