Members of the “Miasin” (Together) civic-political movement held a protest on Baghramyan Avenue in support of Armenian captives being held in Baku, just as U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance visits Yerevan.

Former Human Rights Defender of Armenia Larisa Alaverdyan, a member of the movement, stated that today Armenia’s own government is the main obstacle to securing the return of the captives, Sputnik Armenia reports.

“I always say what the Armenian government fails to do, society must do. Our protest voice will absolutely reach Vance. Our hopes are not in vain. We must demand that the U.S. representative stand by their word,” Alaverdyan declared.

Protesters held photos of Armenian captives in Azerbaijani custody, and as the U.S. delegation’s vehicles approached the presidential building, they chanted: “Freedom for Armenian hostages!”

Former Artsakh Human Rights Defender Artak Beglaryan addressed a message to Vance, urging him to raise the issues of the immediate release of 19 Armenian captives, clarification of the fate of missing persons, and the implementation of practical mechanisms for the safe return of displaced Armenians to Artsakh during his upcoming visit to Baku.

At the end of the demonstration, participants formalized their demands in writing, with the aim of delivering them to the U.S. Vice President if possible.

J.D. Vance arrived in Yerevan with his wife Usha Vance and their three children. His meeting with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan is underway, to be followed by official statements.