American senators asked Rubio to link the partnership with Baku and the release of political prisoners.

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Two Democratic senators and one Republican senator sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging to link the development of strategic partnership with Baku and the release of all political prisoners in the country. They pointed out the need to release those involved in high-profile criminal cases.

As reported by "Caucasian Knot", U.S. Vice President JD Vance visited Armenia on February 9-10 and visited Azerbaijan on February 10-11. Following the negotiations between Vance and Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev, a Charter of Strategic Partnership between Azerbaijan and the U.S. was signed on the evening of February 10, according to the Azerbaijani presidential website. The charter outlines the main areas of cooperation, particularly in regional connectivity, energy, trade and transit, economy, investment and technology, security and defense.

A bipartisan group of American senators - Democrats Peter Welch and Tim Kaine, as well as Republican Tom Tillis - sent an official letter to U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio urging to link the development of strategic partnership with Baku to the release of all political prisoners in Azerbaijan.

The document notes that although the U.S. Administration has taken positive steps - including signing the Charter of Strategic Partnership, promoting the initiative "Trump's Route to International Peace and Prosperity" (TRIPP), and temporarily suspending the 907th amendment to the "Freedom Support Act" - this "goodwill" should not be perceived by the Azerbaijani authorities as a “blank check for internal repression.”

Lawmakers emphasize that long-term partnership is impossible without respect for the rule of law, and the presence of more than 300 political prisoners in the country undermines any international agreements with Baku.

"We share the administration's interest in promoting peace in the region and strongly urge that the release of all political prisoners in Azerbaijan be a condition of strategic partnership," the letter emphasizes.

As a guideline, the senators suggest that the State Department apply to Azerbaijan the approach that previously worked regarding Minsk, when Washington managed to secure the release of several political prisoners in Belarus.

"We are inspired by the administration's successes in releasing political prisoners in Belarus, and we urge the administration to apply a similar approach to Azerbaijan. This process should begin with the priority release of the following individuals, who are prominent representatives of various sectors of Azerbaijani civil society, who have become victims of years of repression," the senators note.

In particular, the message personally mentions the leader of the Azerbaijan Popular Front Party Ali Kerimli, media expert Alesker Mamedli, economist Gubad Ibadoglu (currently free under police supervision), election expert Anar Mamedli, economic observer of “Radio Free Europe” Farid Mehralizade, human rights activist Rufat Safarov, opposition politician Tofig Yagublu, journalist Ulviya Guliyeva (Ulviya Ali).

"The administration's decision to temporarily suspend the action of Section 907 of the "Freedom Support Act" reflects a willingness to deepen cooperation with Azerbaijan in the interests of promoting broader U.S. goals," the senators further write.

At the same time, they hope that the Azerbaijani leadership will show a reciprocal willingness to strengthen bilateral relations. In their opinion, a decision to review cases and release political prisoners would be a positive signal and a significant step in this direction. "Such a step would emphasize that a strong partnership between the U.S. and Azerbaijan is strengthened by both common strategic interests and respect for fundamental freedoms and the rule of law," the senators' message to the U.S. Secretary of State, dated September 25, emphasizes.

The Azerbaijani authorities have not yet responded to the senators' letter.

"The appeal of American senators to the U.S. Secretary of State is a sufficiently serious step. It has been a long time since congressmen and senators had such a deep reaction to the situation with human rights in Azerbaijan. Yes, there have been letters and statements from some legislators regarding individual representatives of Azerbaijani civil society. But this time, the situation with political prisoners is considered in the general context of U.S. regional policy. The significance of the message is also that it is a bipartisan initiative, considering that Peter Welch and Tim Kaine are members of the Democratic Party, while Tom Tillis is a Republican. This means that the content of the message reflects the position of senators from both parties," said a "Caucasian Knot" correspondent, commenting on the document Baku analyst, who wished to remain unnamed.

Through pro-government experts and media, of course, Washington will be informed of Azerbaijan's dissatisfaction

In his view, given the "normal relations" in Baku with the Trump administration, it is likely that the official Azerbaijani bodies will leave this initiative without attention in the public space. "However, through pro-government experts and media, of course, Washington will be informed of Azerbaijan's dissatisfaction. In Baku, it is likely to be reminded that cooperation with the U.S. is based on the principles of equality and mutual respect, while simultaneously emphasizing the "independence" of the country's judicial system and the inadmissibility of interference in its decisions. Nevertheless, Azerbaijan will continue to advocate the importance of strategic projects in logistics and security, preferring to discuss sensitive issues in a quiet diplomatic format. At the same time, given past experience, Baku may undertake targeted humanitarian solutions - for example, the release through changes in preventive measures or pardoning, or parole of individual political prisoners. This will demonstrate Baku's "goodwill" and give Azerbaijan's lobbyists a reason to promote narratives about the Azerbaijani authorities' inclination towards reforms," the expert noted.

In his view, the release of several political prisoners would satisfy the U.S. "I do not expect strong pressure from the U.S., at least under the Trump administration, as this could jeopardize Washington's regional policy and push Baku towards those who oppose the strengthening of America and the West in the region," the analyst believes.