Civilnet
By Alexander Pracht
The Armenian General Benevolent Union (AGBU) and several Armenian NGOs have signed a joint appeal calling for an end to Azerbaijan’s political persecution of Ruben Vardanyan, a philanthropist and former Nagorno-Karabakh cabinet leader. The statement, addressed to the international community, condemns Vardanyan’s detention and demands immediate action to protect his rights.
Vardanyan has been imprisoned in Azerbaijan since September 2023 along with numerous other Artsakh leaders and officials, all of whom are currently on trial on dozens of charges, including financing terrorism. Starting a hunger strike to protest his treatment last week, he described being subjected to coercion, due process violations, and the denial of his right to a fair trial. The signatories warn that Vardanyan’s case is part of a broader effort to criminalize Armenians who supported Nagorno-Karabakh during and after the 2020 war.
The appeal urges international intervention to secure justice for Vardanyan and other Armenian detainees, calling for an investigation into their mistreatment, independent judicial oversight, and pressure on Azerbaijan to comply with international legal standards.
Vardanyan’s international lawyer Jared Genser reported Wednesday that although his client’s health has severely deteriorated a week into his hunger strike, Azerbaijan is still forcing him to attend court hearings. His legal team’s motion to postpone the Tuesday court session was denied, with judges merely granting a brief recess for a state-appointed doctor to examine Vardanyan. Genser, joined by Vardanyan’s son David, called on world leaders and Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan to condemn the unlawful trial against Vardanyan.
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