Armenia’s National Security Council Secretary Armen Grigoryan told the APRI Armenia forum that the Armenian government has prioritized the release of all Armenian prisoners currently held in Baku.

“Since the end of the 2020 war, we have been working intensively to free prisoners. We don’t often discuss negotiation details publicly, but obviously, extensive efforts are underway. Public discussion often has a negative impact on these processes,” Grigoryan said, Sputnik Armenia reports.

He recalled that in December 2023, an agreement was reached with Azerbaijan to return 32 Armenian prisoners—and before that phase began, almost no public discussion took place.

Grigoryan emphasized that work aimed at returning detained individuals continues. He expressed hope that the prisoners will return home as soon as possible.

“Azerbaijan does not engage in constructive dialogue on the prisoner issue at all,” he added.

According to official data, 23 Armenian citizens are currently held in Baku, 5 detained in 2020 and the rest in 2023. Trials for 7 of these 23 have ended with guilty verdicts.