Armenian POWs in Baku: Bone Fractures, No Teeth, No Healthcare
They have described them to be in very poor health with injuries that include bone fractures. Reportedly, some of them have no teeth. They do not receive health care. So the situation is pretty dire.
As of July 2026, approximately 19 Armenian prisoners of war remain detained in Baku, many since the 44-Day War in 2020. According to Siranush Sahakyan, a human rights lawyer representing the detainees at the European Court of Human Rights, the prisoners are in catastrophic condition: bone fractures, missing teeth, no access to healthcare. Asbed cites the example of Ludvik Mkrtchyan, captured in 2020, who suffers from severe shortness of breath, dizziness, and heart and lung problems. His wife, able to speak with him only every couple of months, watches as he literally fights for his life in Azerbaijani custody.
Hovik and Asbed argue, with striking directness, that the Armenian government bears responsibility for this humanitarian disaster. The evidence is damning: last year, Trump explicitly asked Pashinyan on video whether he wanted his prisoners back. Pashinyan’s response was to deflect, saying the issue could block the peace process. Asbed draws the logical conclusion: Pashinyan is deliberately keeping these prisoners in Baku. Why? Because figures like Ruben Vardanyan, a prominent businessman held since 2020, would become devastating political rivals if released. Pashinyan’s government likely achieved only 49 percent support in recent elections; Vardanyan might have become prime minister had he been free.
The broader pattern reinforces this interpretation. The regime uses charges like hooliganism against ordinary Armenians who criticize government policies. If released POWs were to return to Armenia, they would likely face arrest on trumped-up charges. Asbed notes that Pashinyan would rather keep them in Azerbaijani torture conditions than face the political threat of their return. This represents a fundamental betrayal of sovereignty and human rights, yet the Armenian government remains silent, offering neither diplomatic pressure nor public advocacy for the prisoners’ release. The situation is a mirror of state complicity in human suffering for narrow factional gain.
Transcript
Asbed Bedrossian: Hovik, we should definitely mention About the plight of the POWs, Asbed Bedrossian: the Armenian detainees in Baku. Asbed Bedrossian: I was reading an article by Azatutyun Radio. Asbed Bedrossian: They were quoting Siranush Sahakyan, Asbed Bedrossian: a noted human rights lawyer who represents the 19 or so Armenian POWs in Baku at Asbed Bedrossian: the European Court of Human Rights. Asbed Bedrossian: She has described them to be in very poor health with Injuries that include bone fractures. Asbed Bedrossian: Reportedly, some of them have no teeth. Asbed Bedrossian: They do not receive health care. Asbed Bedrossian: So the situation is pretty dire. Asbed Bedrossian: I think there was another article About one of the prisoners, Asbed Bedrossian: I think his name was Ludvik Mkrtchyan, Asbed Bedrossian: and he was captured in 2020, and he is apparently in very poor health. Asbed Bedrossian: His wife apparently gets to talk to him every couple of months or so, Asbed Bedrossian: and she said that he has shortness of breath, Asbed Bedrossian: dizziness, heartaches, heart and lung problems. Hovik Manucharyan: This isn't fighting for his life. Asbed Bedrossian: Yeah, basically he is. Asbed Bedrossian: That's right. Hovik Manucharyan: And if you're watching this podcast for a while, Hovik Manucharyan: then you wouldn't be surprised that there's not a peep from the Armenian government Hovik Manucharyan: about any of this. Hovik Manucharyan: It seems like the Armenian government is completely content Hovik Manucharyan: with leaving these prisoners in Baku. Asbed Bedrossian: It's more than that. Asbed Bedrossian: I'm sorry. Asbed Bedrossian: I have to be that guy again.