Prisoners returned from Azerbaijan are being housed in Yerevan hospitals.

Four Armenian prisoners were hospitalized after returning from Azerbaijan and are being treated in Yerevan clinics. Armenia handed over to Syria two participants in the Karabakh conflict, sentenced to life imprisonment, and could have demanded the release of more Armenian prisoners from Baku, a human rights activist stated.

As reported by the "Caucasian Knot," Gevorg Sujyan, David Davtyan, Vigen Euljekjyan, and Vagif Khachatryan were handed over to Armenian representatives at the Hakari Bridge and are currently in Armenia, Nikol Pashinyan reported on January 14. According to the Armenian National Security Service, the return of the prisoners was carried out as a practical result of the peace process between Armenia and Azerbaijan.

All four former prisoners handed over by Azerbaijani security forces to Armenian authorities on January 14 have been placed in medical facilities in Yerevan. Gevorg Sujyan, David Davtyan, and Vigen Euljekyan have been transferred to the Muratsan Military Hospital, while Vagif Khachatryan has been sent to the Nork-Marash Cardiology Center, Health Minister Anahit Avanesyan said at a briefing.

"The condition of all those returned is stable and will be under medical supervision." "As for Vagif Khachatryan, he is currently undergoing an examination, and his life is not in danger. He has a chronic heart condition, so additional tests are needed. Based on these results, an appropriate decision has been made regarding his further treatment," the Minister of Health said after visiting Vagif Khachatryan at the hospital.

She added that "Khachatryan is currently feeling well. He told me, 'I'm in Armenia, which means I'm fine,'" the Minister said. Vagif Khachatryan's daughter, Vera Khachatryan, confirmed that her father will undergo treatment at the Nork-Marash Cardiology Center.

Mikael Adamyan, Director of the Nork-Marash Medical Center CJSC, told reporters that Vagif Khachatryan "is experiencing a mild exacerbation of a chronic illness." He added that "Khachatryan has been undergoing examinations in Stepanakert for 15 years," and will now undergo examination at the Nork-Marash Center and will be treated until remission.

The Armenian Ministry of Justice reported that on January 14, 2026, citizens of the Syrian Arab Republic Yousef Alaabet al-Hajji and Mukhrab Muhammad al-Shkheri, sentenced in 2021 by Armenia to life imprisonment for participating in military actions against Nagorno-Karabakh in 2020, were transferred via Turkey to the competent authorities of Syria "for the purpose of continuing the execution of their sentences in the territory of their state of citizenship."

Lawyer and advocate for the interests of Armenian prisoners at the ECHR Siranush Sahakyan stated that the release of four Armenian prisoners by Azerbaijan in exchange for two Syrian mercenaries "is a disproportionate and unprofitable deal for Armenia."

"The release (of the Syrian mercenaries), who represent real value, should have "to ensure the return of more illegally detained Armenians. A more thorough assessment of the significance of these individuals would make it clear that Armenia missed the opportunity to achieve better conditions," the human rights activist noted.

Sahakyan emphasized that the coincidence in the timing of the transfer of the mercenaries to the Syrian side via Turkey and the return of the four Armenians "is not coincidental and directly points to a deal, not a humanitarian gesture." She noted that a number of Armenian captives in Azerbaijan have serious health problems, and their possible deterioration creates additional responsibility for Baku, therefore "Azerbaijan is getting rid of those hostages who have lost their negotiating value but could become a humanitarian and legal burden."