In a significant development, philanthropist and business leader Ruben Vardanyan, who has been illegally detained in Azerbaijan, has been granted permission to communicate with his wife, Veronika, for the second time since being placed in isolation almost three weeks ago.
Vardanyan initiated a hunger strike on April 5, 2024, after repeated requests for a fair and transparent trial were ignored. The trial, originally scheduled for January and later postponed to May without explanation, prompted Vardanyan to take this drastic action.
Thanks to the growing awareness and international pressure from governments and the public, Vardanyan’s family convinced him to end his hunger strike due to his deteriorating health. During the brief conversation, they also informed him of the increasing pressure being exerted on Azerbaijan by officials worldwide. Reluctantly, Vardanyan agreed to break the hunger strike for the sake of his loved ones.
Recent weeks have seen several initiatives, including proposed legislation by the United States Congress to impose sanctions on high-ranking officials in the Azerbaijani government for the illegal detention of political prisoners. Additionally, the European Parliament passed a resolution on April 25. Furthermore, rallies were held in the United States, France, and Armenia yesterday, coinciding with the commemoration of the 109th anniversary of the Armenian genocide, demanding the release of political prisoners.
Vardanyan remains in detention in Baku, facing increasingly difficult prison conditions. Since beginning his hunger strike, he has been denied regular phone calls with his family, another violation of international standards by Azerbaijan. Vardanyan has also been placed in total isolation without access to proper medical care, apart from sporadic blood pressure checks. Serious concerns persist regarding his health.
“We are deeply concerned about my father’s deteriorating health, but his courage does not surprise us,” said David Vardanyan, one of Ruben Vardanyan’s sons. “While we initially remained hopeful, my father’s condition continues to deteriorate. The world has shown Azerbaijan that it is closely watching the fate of Armenian prisoners, including my father, and I would like to thank everyone for their support during this difficult time. I hope that international interest will lead to his release in the near future. We urge the international community to exert increasing pressure on Azerbaijan to ensure that the planned court process takes place in May of this year with the presence of international observers.”
In a report released on April 23, the US Department of State confirmed the unfair conditions under which Vardanyan and other political prisoners and detainees are being held in Azerbaijan. The report estimated that approximately 254 political prisoners and detainees were in the country as of December 2023. Furthermore, the judiciary system was described as largely corrupt, ineffective, and lacking independence. According to the report, individuals in Azerbaijan are often denied “the right to be presumed innocent; to a timely, fair, and public trial; to communicate with counsel of choice; to adequate time and resources for defense preparation; to confront witnesses and present witnesses and evidence; and to refuse self-incrimination or confess guilt.”
Ruben Vardanyan is one of eight former officials arrested in September of last year when the Azerbaijani government launched an invasion of the Nagorno-Karabakh region, resulting in the mass exodus of 120,000 residents. Now, over 200 days later, eight Armenian leaders are facing politically motivated charges.
Vardanyan is a well-known Armenian philanthropist and businessman, a father of four, and a loving husband who has been illegally detained for over 200 days.
He has been charged with false accusations and is currently being held under harsh conditions. It is expected that his trial will not adhere to international standards, including the presence of international observers. Vardanyan’s case has also been separated from the other seven political prisoners, raising questions about whether he is being treated differently on political grounds.
For more information, visit www.freearmenianprisoners.com
CONTACT:
Jere Sullivan, Global Advisor at Edelman
Email: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (202) 425-9056
Free Armenian Prisoners
Email: [email protected]
Website: www.FreeArmenianPrisoners.com
Twitter: #FreeArmenianPrisoners @RubenVardanyan
Ruben Vardanyan’s case has garnered international attention and pressure due to his illegal detention in Azerbaijan. The recent development of him being granted permission to communicate with his wife, Veronika, for the second time in three weeks is seen as a positive step forward. However, there are still concerns about his deteriorating health and difficult prison conditions.
One of the key factors influencing the attention on Vardanyan’s case is the growing awareness and international pressure from governments and the public. Various initiatives have been taken, such as proposed legislation by the United States Congress to impose sanctions on high-ranking officials in the Azerbaijani government for the illegal detention of political prisoners. The European Parliament has also passed a resolution on this issue. Additionally, rallies have been held in the United States, France, and Armenia, demanding the release of political prisoners.
The situation in Azerbaijan regarding the treatment of political prisoners has been a cause of concern. According to a report released by the US Department of State, unfair conditions prevail for political prisoners and detainees in Azerbaijan. The report highlights the corrupt and ineffective judiciary system, which lacks independence. Individuals in Azerbaijan are often denied basic rights, including the right to a fair trial and the right to communicate with legal counsel.
One of the advantages of the international pressure on Azerbaijan is the increased visibility and awareness of Ruben Vardanyan’s case. This attention puts pressure on the Azerbaijani government to address the concerns and ensure that international standards are followed, such as the presence of international observers during the trial.
However, there are also disadvantages to consider. Despite the international pressure, Ruben Vardanyan remains in detention in Baku under difficult conditions. The trial is expected to be conducted in May, but concerns persist about whether it will adhere to international standards. There is a need for sustained pressure and advocacy to ensure a fair and transparent trial for Vardanyan and other political prisoners in Azerbaijan.
For more information on the situation and updates on Ruben Vardanyan’s case, you can visit the website of Free Armenian Prisoners at www.FreeArmenianPrisoners.com.
If you wish to contact relevant authorities and organizations regarding this issue, you can reach out to Jere Sullivan, Global Advisor at Edelman, via email at [email protected], or by phone at +1 (202) 425-9056. You can also contact Free Armenian Prisoners via email at [email protected], and visit their website at www.FreeArmenianPrisoners.com.