US senators urge Trump team to condition Azerbaijan partnership on political prisoners
US senators urge the Trump administration to press Azerbaijan to release over 300 political prisoners before finalizing a strategic partnership agreement.
Three US senators have called on the incoming administration of Donald Trump to demand the release of detainees in Azerbaijan before advancing a bilateral strategic partnership agreement.
Senators Peter Welch, Tim Kaine, and Thom Tillis urged Washington to press Baku regarding the detention of "more than 300 political prisoners", a group that includes journalists, opposition leaders, and civil society activists. While supporting closer diplomatic and economic ties, the bipartisan group asserted that any strategic pact must be tied to measurable progress on human rights and fundamental freedoms in the South Caucasus nation.
Sources: OC Media