The Socialist International has issued a statement expressing outrage and deep concern over the February 5 decision of the Baku Military Court to sentence 15 Armenian prisoners to long prison terms, including five life sentences.

In its statement, the organization said the ruling contradicts ongoing efforts toward peace and reconciliation in the region and called on Azerbaijani authorities to build on recent positive steps by releasing all remaining Armenian prisoners. It emphasized that such a move would serve as an important gesture of goodwill and contribute to stability in the South Caucasus.

Please see here the full statement.

Statement on the Sentencing of Armenian Detainees in Azerbaijan and the Need for Continued Peace Efforts in the South Caucasus

The Socialist International expresses its outrage and deep concern on the decision announced on Thursday 5 February by the Baku Military Court on long prison sentences for 15 Armenian defendants, out of the 19 Armenian detainees still held in Azerbaijan and arrested in the context of the former Nagorno-Karabakh conflict.

This ruling, which includes five life imprisonment sentences, goes against the spirit of the efforts for peace and reconciliation.

We are taking note of the fact that the Azerbaijani leadership, by signing the Washington Declaration, made an important step, allowing also -for the first time in decades – the transit of cargo from its territory into Armenia. In January 2026, it released four Armenians serving prison sentences in Azerbaijan after being arrested in 2020 and 2023.

In this spirit, joining our voice with other international institutions, we appeal to the Azerbaijani authorities to build further on the current positive momentum and release all Armenian detainees in Azerbaijan’s custody. Such a gesture would represent a significant proof of goodwill and will significantly contribute to stability in South Caucasus.