During a protest near the Presidential Palace, where U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance met with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan, international law expert Ara Ghazaryan emphasized to reporters that any political agreement must be grounded in legal standards and principles.

Speaking on the issue of Armenian captives held in Azerbaijan, Ghazaryan stated that resolving the matter requires political will and negotiated agreements.

“I’m convinced that some captives will be returned gradually, but not all. Judging by the nature of the charges and Azerbaijan’s objectives, the legal process is not genuine but serves a political aim to deny the historical and legal fact of Artsakh’s independence. That’s their long-term goal, and if that’s the case, then not all captives will be returned,” Ghazaryan told Panorama.am .

He underlined that Azerbaijan is not using legal grounds, but rather political leverage, weaponizing the captives to undermine the historical and legal foundation of Artsakh’s statehood.

Ghazaryan also criticized the Armenian authorities' recent approach toward the Church, calling it an unconstitutional interference in the religious community’s autonomy.

“This is direct interference by the executive branch in the right of religious communities to self-govern. It’s unacceptable,” he stated.

The protest was organized to once again draw international attention, particularly from the U.S. delegation, to the urgent need to release Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijan.

Former Artsakh President Arayik Harutyunyan has been sentenced to life imprisonment, along with ex-defense officials Levon Mnatsakanyan and Davit Manukyan. Former Foreign Minister Davit Babayan and parliament speaker Davit Ishkhanyan also received life terms. Former presidents Arkadi Ghukasyan and Bako Sahakyan were sentenced to 20 years in prison. Other officials received sentences ranging from 15 to 19 years.