Armenian Justice Minister Artak Zeynalyan stated on Wednesday all efforts are exerted to return the Armenian citizen Karen Ghazaryan sentenced to 20 years in jail in Azerbaijan to Armenia.

"Karen Ghazaryan's lawyer have filed a complaint with the European Court of Human Rights, asking to take urgent measures and the complaint is currently heard at the Court. The Republic of Armenia will be notified about the course of the hearing as it acts as a third party," the minister's remarks came at a question and answer session in the parliament.

Zeynalyan reminded that Armenia had earlier rejected the swap deal proposed by Azerbaijan as no citizens of Azerbaijan are currently in Armenia with similar or the same status.

"We think Karen is illegally kept under arrest," Zeynalyan said.

Armenian citizen Karen Ghazaryan who accidentally crossed the border with Azerbaijan on July 15, 2018 was sentenced to 20 years of prison charged with attempting to carry out terrorist attacks in Azerbaijan.