The office of U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance has confirmed that they received a letter from detained Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan and expressed their gratitude. The update came from Christian Solidarity International (CSI), whose representative visited the archbishop in prison last week, according to the Sacred Struggle movement.

“Last week, CSI was able to visit Archbishop Bagrat Galstanyan in prison and received a signed letter from him to be delivered to the U.S. Vice President. Vance’s office has confirmed receipt of the letter and expressed its thanks,” the statement said.

CSI praised the Vice President’s team for its cooperation and engagement, and expressed hope that the visit would bring relief to the persecuted.

“We are confident that the Vice President will carefully consider the Archbishop’s message and ensure the release of Armenian Christian political prisoners held in Azerbaijan and Armenia, and push for guarantees enabling the safe return of Armenians forcibly displaced from Artsakh to their ancestral homeland, with full protection of their fundamental rights,” the statement concluded.

J.D. Vance is set to arrive in Yerevan on February 9 for a meeting with the Armenian Prime Minister. On February 10, he will travel to Baku.