{"id":1816,"date":"2026-06-24T19:28:06","date_gmt":"2026-06-24T19:28:06","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/freearmenianhostages.net\/?p=1816"},"modified":"2026-07-10T19:51:58","modified_gmt":"2026-07-10T19:51:58","slug":"u-s-congressional-leaders-demand-release-of-armenian-hostages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/freearmenianhostages.net\/?p=1816","title":{"rendered":"U.S. Congressional Leaders Demand Release of Armenian Hostages"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><em>Congressman Sherman, ANCA Lead Capitol Hill Press Conference Marking 1,000th Day in Captivity<\/em><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>WASHINGTON, DC \u2013<\/strong>&nbsp;Members of Congress joined the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) in marking the 1,000th day of Azerbaijani detention of Armenian prisoners of war, Artsakh leaders, and civilian hostages today, demanding their immediate and unconditional release as the U.S. House prepares to vote on a series of measures holding Azerbaijan accountable for its ongoing violations of Armenian sovereignty, international law, and human rights.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Congressional Armenian Caucus Vice-Chair Rep. Brad Sherman (D-CA), Representatives Judy Chu (D-CA), Laura Friedman (D-CA), and Jim Costa (D-CA) spoke at a Capitol Hill press conference organized by Rep. Sherman and the ANCA, while Members across both chambers took to social media to mark the milestone and demand action. ANCA Leo Sarkisian and Maral Melkonian Avetisyan Summer interns joined the press conference and advocated across Senate and House offices, wearing shirts bearing the names and faces of Artsakh leaders held hostage by Azerbaijan and urging support for pro-Armenian amendments and legislation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-video is-provider-youtube wp-block-embed-youtube wp-embed-aspect-16-9 wp-has-aspect-ratio\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<iframe loading=\"lazy\" title=\"1,000 Days: Sherman, ANCA Lead Capitol Hill Press Conference to Free Armenian Hostages\" width=\"500\" height=\"281\" src=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/embed\/3CUuENUvRq8?feature=oembed\" frameborder=\"0\" allow=\"accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share\" referrerpolicy=\"strict-origin-when-cross-origin\" allowfullscreen><\/iframe>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At least nineteen Armenian prisoners of war and civilian hostages remain in Azerbaijani custody \u2014 among them eight Artsakh (Nagorno Karabakh) leaders: Ruben Vardanyan, State Minister (2022\u20132023); Arayik Harutyunyan, President (2020\u20132023); Bako Sahakyan, President (2007\u20132020); Arkadi Ghukasyan, President (1997\u20132007); Davit Ishkhanyan, Speaker of the National Assembly; David Babayan, Advisor to the President and Foreign Minister; Levon Mnatsakanyan, Commander, Artsakh Defense Army; and Davit Manukyan, First Deputy Commander of the Artsakh Defense Army.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Sherman, Chu, Friedman, and Costa Demand Release of Armenian Hostages at Capitol Hill Press Conference<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/freearmenianhostages.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/062326_Sherman_P1270117_print-768x512-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1818\" style=\"width:555px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/freearmenianhostages.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/062326_Sherman_P1270117_print-768x512-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/freearmenianhostages.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/062326_Sherman_P1270117_print-768x512-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rep. Sherman opened the press conference, citing Azerbaijan\u2019s 2023 ethnic cleansing of over 100,000 indigenous Armenians from Artsakh and the ongoing abuse of those detained in its aftermath. \u201cFor over a thousand days, those Armenian POWs \u2014 POWs held after the war is over \u2014 and political prisoners have endured abuse and torture in Azerbaijani captivity,\u201d Sherman said. He detailed the sham trials that produced sentences ranging from fifteen years to life, noting that five Artsakh leaders \u2014 including President Arayik Harutyunyan, Foreign Minister David Babayan, and Commander Levon Mnatsakanyan \u2014 were tried almost entirely behind closed doors, with sixteen defendants collectively charged with 2,500 crimes and no independent observers permitted. Ruben Vardanyan was separately sentenced to up to twenty years, on top of more than a year already spent in solitary confinement. Amnesty International, Sherman noted, called the proceedings against Vardanyan \u201cnothing short of a travesty.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sherman tied the hostage crisis directly to the Sherman Amendment, which he advanced through the House Foreign Affairs Committee with the support of Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL). \u201cThere can be no lasting peace until each and every Armenian POW and political prisoner is freed from Azerbaijani prisons and freed to return home to their families,\u201d he said. Sherman also pointed to Azerbaijan\u2019s response to the European Parliament\u2019s April resolution condemning the detentions \u2014 not releasing a single prisoner, but severing ties with the Parliament altogether and rejecting even the term \u201cprisoner of war.\u201d \u201cThat tells you everything you need to know about how seriously Baku takes its obligations under international law,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/freearmenianhostages.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/062326_Chu_P1270127_print-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1819\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.4992828685258963;width:555px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/freearmenianhostages.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/062326_Chu_P1270127_print-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/freearmenianhostages.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/062326_Chu_P1270127_print-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/freearmenianhostages.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/062326_Chu_P1270127_print-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/freearmenianhostages.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/062326_Chu_P1270127_print.jpg 1200w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rep. Chu recalled her visit to Artsakh before Azerbaijan\u2019s forced depopulation campaign and her subsequent ban from entering Azerbaijan. \u201cIf standing up for human rights means I\u2019m no longer welcome in Azerbaijan, then that only strengthens my determination to keep fighting for justice for the Armenian people,\u201d she said. Chu called for the return of Artsakh Armenians to their homeland, the protection of cultural and religious heritage, and the release of all political prisoners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/freearmenianhostages.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/062326_Friedman_P1270141_print-768x512-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1820\" style=\"aspect-ratio:1.5000874584572328;width:505px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/freearmenianhostages.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/062326_Friedman_P1270141_print-768x512-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/freearmenianhostages.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/062326_Friedman_P1270141_print-768x512-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rep. Friedman condemned Azerbaijan\u2019s sham trials and the destruction of Armenian cultural and religious heritage in Artsakh. \u201cPeace cannot come without accountability, lasting security for Armenia, and a respect for Armenia\u2019s sovereignty and for the rights of indigenous people in Artsakh,\u201d she said. Friedman cited her letter to Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging the safe return of forcibly displaced Armenians, her advocacy for U.S. sanctions against Azerbaijan, and her co-sponsorship of the Armenian Genocide Education Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignleft size-full is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/freearmenianhostages.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/062326_Costa_P1270172_print-768x512-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1821\" style=\"width:528px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/freearmenianhostages.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/062326_Costa_P1270172_print-768x512-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/freearmenianhostages.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/062326_Costa_P1270172_print-768x512-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Rep. Costa called for Azerbaijan\u2019s immediate withdrawal from sovereign Armenian territory and the unconditional release of all detainees. \u201cThese people are not bargaining chips,\u201d Costa said. \u201cThey are fathers, they are mothers, they are sons and daughters. And the families have waited long enough \u2014 over 1,000 days. It\u2019s time to bring them home.\u201d Costa also referenced his exchange with Secretary of State Rubio during Foreign Relations Committee testimony, pressing Rubio to use every available tool to secure the prisoners\u2019 release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>ANCA: So-Called \u201cPeace\u201d Deal Consolidates Azerbaijan\u2019s Genocidal Gains, Rewards Aggression with U.S. Tax Dollars<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image alignright size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"768\" height=\"512\" src=\"https:\/\/freearmenianhostages.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/062326_Hamparian_P1270217_print-768x512-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-1822\" srcset=\"https:\/\/freearmenianhostages.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/062326_Hamparian_P1270217_print-768x512-1.jpg 768w, https:\/\/freearmenianhostages.net\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/07\/062326_Hamparian_P1270217_print-768x512-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 768px) 100vw, 768px\" \/><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At the press conference, ANCA Executive Director Aram Hamparian challenged the recently announced Armenia-Azerbaijan peace framework, calling it a consolidation of Azerbaijan\u2019s genocidal gains rather than a true foundation for lasting peace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cOn this day, as we mark 1,000 days of Azerbaijani hostage diplomacy, we reaffirm our call for peace. A real peace. A just peace. A peace worthy of the name,\u201d Hamparian said. \u201cToday \u2014 here in Washington \u2014 the so-called \u2018peace\u2019 deal announced last year is being sold as progress. In reality, it\u2019s the consolidation of Azerbaijan\u2019s ethnic cleansing of Artsakh. The legitimization of the last war. A prelude to the next war.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hamparian warned that rewarding Azerbaijani aggression with American tax dollars would backfire. \u201cMark my words: if we reward Azerbaijan with American treasure, we will reap a bitter harvest of renewed Azerbaijani aggression \u2014 violence funded by the U.S. taxpayer at the expense of American interests and yet more Armenian land and lives. All the costs borne by Armenians. All the benefits flow to Baku. Every new Armenian concession met with yet more Azerbaijani demands.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Hamparian called on Congress to secure four concrete outcomes: the release of Armenian hostages illegally held for 1,000 days; the withdrawal of Azerbaijani forces from occupied Armenian territory; the return of Armenians to Artsakh in safety under an international mandate; and the protection of Christian holy sites being bulldozed across Artsakh. He also called for full enforcement of Section 907 sanctions against Azerbaijan, calling it \u201cthe statutory protection of American taxpayers against complicity in Christian persecution.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">\u201cBaku will say that these represent obstacles to peace,\u201d Hamparian said. \u201cThe fact of the matter is that they represent the very building blocks of peace \u2014 of real peace, of a durable peace, a peace based on justice, human rights, and religious freedom. A peace worthy of its name.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Senators and Representatives Mark 1,000-Day Milestone, Call on Azerbaijan to Free Armenian Hostages<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Members across both chambers marked the 1,000-day milestone with statements and social media posts demanding Azerbaijan\u2019s release of Armenian hostages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/SenAdamSchiff\/status\/2069454734319120418\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Senator Adam Schiff (D-CA)<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;called the ongoing detention a grave violation of human rights and international law. \u201cWe must use every diplomatic tool to hold Azerbaijan and the Aliyev regime accountable,\u201d Schiff said. \u201cAll Armenian POWs must be immediately and safely returned home.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RepYoungKim\/status\/2069445127320244397\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Rep. Young Kim (R-CA)<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;urged Azerbaijan to act. \u201cToday marks 1,000 days that Armenian POWs and civilian hostages have remained in Azerbaijani custody, suffering prolonged imprisonment, reports of torture, and blatant human rights abuses,\u201d Kim said. \u201cThey should be reunited with their loved ones. I urge Azerbaijan to release them now.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RepVinceFong\/status\/2069453663546884358\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Rep. Vince Fong (R-CA)<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;pointed to his co-sponsorship of the ARMENIA Security Partnership Act as a concrete accountability measure. \u201cAzerbaijan must comply with its international obligations and release all detainees without delay,\u201d Fong said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/RepFriedmanCA\/status\/2069512531371270294\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Rep. Laura Friedman (D-CA)<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;vowed to keep fighting. \u201cAzerbaijan has tried to hide their unlawful actions, but I refuse to ignore their crimes,\u201d Friedman said. \u201cFor as long as it takes, I\u2019ll keep fighting for these hostages to be released and for a path towards lasting security for Armenia.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/TLHumanRights\/status\/2069518280369279313\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>The Tom Lantos Human Rights Commission<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;called on the Trump Administration to press for the prisoners\u2019 unconditional release. \u201cNo prisoner of war or civilian hostage should endure 1,000 days of unlawful detention,\u201d the Commission stated. \u201cThe Administration should press for their unconditional release.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Following the press conference,&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/BradSherman\/status\/2069549288930095332\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>Rep. Sherman<\/strong><\/a>&nbsp;posted, \u201cToday, I was joined by fellow Members of Congress, @ANCA_DC, and Armenian American community leaders to highlight my bipartisan amendment demanding the immediate and unconditional release of #Armenian prisoners of war held by Azerbaijan. Azerbaijan must release Armenian POWs now, and Congress must be clear in demanding they do so.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>House Prepares to Vote on Sherman Amendment, Consider Eight Pro-Armenian Amendments to FY2027 National Security Bills<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The House Foreign Affairs Committee is expected to hold a recorded roll call vote next week on the Sherman Amendment to the House Foreign Service Act (H.R. 9086), which \u2014 with the support of Committee Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL) \u2014 declares it the sense of Congress that Azerbaijan should immediately and unconditionally release all Armenian prisoners of war and political prisoners.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Eight pro-Armenian amendments to the FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act (H.R. 8800) and the National Security and Foreign Operations Appropriations Act (H.R. 8595) \u2014 introduced by Congressional Armenian Caucus Co-Chairs Frank Pallone (D-NJ) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Caucus Vice-Chair Sherman, and Representatives Gabe Amo (D-RI) and Jim Costa (D-CA) \u2014 are advancing through the House Rules Committee process.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The measures call for the release of Armenian hostages and prisoners of war illegally held by Azerbaijan, the withdrawal of Azerbaijani forces from sovereign Armenian territory, the protection of Artsakh\u2019s cultural and religious heritage, and the safe return of forcibly displaced Armenian refugees to their Artsakh homes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The ANCA is urging Members of Congress to cosponsor all eight amendments ahead of Rules Committee consideration by visiting&nbsp;<a href=\"https:\/\/anca.org\/ndaa2027\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><strong>anca.org\/ndaa2027<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-text-align-center wp-block-paragraph\">#####<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/sharer\/sharer.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fanca.org%2Fpress-release%2Fcongressional-leaders-demand-release-of-armenian-hostages%2F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/intent\/tweet?text=Congressional%20Leaders%20Demand%20Release%20of%20Armenian%20Hostages&amp;url=https%3A%2F%2Fanca.org%2Fpress-release%2Fcongressional-leaders-demand-release-of-armenian-hostages%2F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.linkedin.com\/sharing\/share-offsite\/?url=https%3A%2F%2Fanca.org%2Fpress-release%2Fcongressional-leaders-demand-release-of-armenian-hostages%2F\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/anca.org\/press-release\/congressional-leaders-demand-release-of-armenian-hostages\/\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www.instagram.com\/armenian_national_committee\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/anca.org\/press-release\/congressional-leaders-demand-release-of-armenian-hostages\/\"><\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/anca.org\/press-release\/congressional-leaders-demand-release-of-armenian-hostages\/\"><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Congressman Sherman, ANCA Lead Capitol Hill Press Conference Marking 1,000th Day in Captivity WASHINGTON, DC \u2013&nbsp;Members of Congress joined the Armenian National Committee of America (ANCA) in marking the 1,000th day of Azerbaijani detention of Armenian prisoners of war, Artsakh leaders, and civilian hostages today, demanding their immediate and unconditional release as the U.S. House [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":1817,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"ngg_post_thumbnail":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-1816","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-uncategorized"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/freearmenianhostages.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1816","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/freearmenianhostages.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/freearmenianhostages.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/freearmenianhostages.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/freearmenianhostages.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=1816"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/freearmenianhostages.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1816\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1823,"href":"https:\/\/freearmenianhostages.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/1816\/revisions\/1823"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/freearmenianhostages.net\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/1817"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/freearmenianhostages.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=1816"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/freearmenianhostages.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=1816"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/freearmenianhostages.net\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=1816"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}