US remains focused on release of political prisoners in Azerbaijan – State Dept.
The United States continues engagements with Azerbaijan to secure the release of political prisoners, Department of State deputy spokesperson Vedant Patel said at a press briefing on Monday.
He was asked to comment on high-level engagements with the Azeri leaders, including Secretary Antony Blinken’s phone call with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev and Assistant Secretary for European and Eurasian Affairs James O'Brien’s recent trip to Baku.
“Is there any concern that these high-level engagements keep happening without securing the release of political prisoners?” a reporter asked.
“This is a long process and it requires us to have continued engagement, and it’s something that I would expect both the Secretary and Assistant Secretary O’Brien and others to be – continue to be focused on,” Patel replied.