Civilnet
Brandon Balayan
The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a motion that demands the release of Armenian prisoners and hostages held by Azerbaijan. The motion was submitted by Supervisor Kathryn Barger, who represents one of the 5 districts of Los Angeles County.
The motion passed unanimously in a packed hearing room on the morning of January 9. This hearing is a precursor to an ecumenical service, “One Cause, Many Faiths – Uniting Voices for Armenians in Captivity,” which will be held at the Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels on January 17 in downtown Los Angeles.
The Board of Supervisors will send a letter to President Joe Biden, Secretary of State Antony Blinken and Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen to urge the following:
- Demand Azerbaijan immediately return all Armenian POWs, hostages, and other detained persons,
- Impose Global Magnitsky Human Rights Accountability Act violations on Azerbaijan for the illegal detention, torture, and extrajudicial killing of Armenian POWs and hostages, and
- Suspend all United States military and economic assistance to Azerbaijan.
Azerbaijan released 32 prisoners of war on December 7. However, there are at least 21 prisoners being held in Azerbaijani custody, and 80 soldiers and civilians still missing. Among these hostages are the former leaders of the Republic of Artsakh, listed below.
Arayik Harutyunyan, President, 2020-2023
Bako Sahakyan, 2007-2022
Arkadi Ghukasyan, President, 1997-2007
Ruben Vardanyan, Artsakh State Minister, Nov. 2022 - February 2023
David Ishkhanasar, Parliament Speaker, Aug. 1, 2023
Levon Mnatsakanyan, Defense Minister, June 2015 - Dec. 2018
David Babayan, Foreign Minister, Jan. 2021 - Jan. 2023
David Manukyan, Defense Army Deputy Commander, Dec. 2019 - 2021
The former leaders were arrested either at the Lachin corridor, Stepanakert, the Russian base at Ivanyan, or they voluntarily surrendered.
Many members of the Armenian community were present at the hearing, including the Vice President of the Armenian International Women’s Association (AIWA) Margaret Mgrublian, who wanted to send a message to the Azerbaijani government with this motion.
“Azerbaijan is saying no one cares. No one is talking about [the prisoners].
We want to show the Azerbaijani government that we care. That people care,” Mgrublian said.
Attendees also had the opportunity to comment on the motion and pressure on Azerbaijan.
“The pressure must remain until those individuals who have been identified are returned,” Artutyun Topchyan from Center for Truth and Justice said.
Representatives of the Armenian National Committee of America and the Center for Truth and Justice addressed the supervisors in support of the resolution.
AIWA member Alice Petrossian, who said she has roots from Artsakh, added a personal note to stress how these events in Karabakh remain personal for so many.
The January 17 ecumenical service will bring together politicians and religious leaders from across Los Angeles to highlight the continuing captivity of Armenians in Azerbaijan, even as the expectation for a lasting resolution hangs in the air. The 5 pm service at 555 W Temple St, Los Angeles, CA is open to all.
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