Ruben Vardanyan's Family Issues Statement

The family of Ruben Vardanyan, the former Prime Minister of Artsakh, has issued a statement.

“The Azerbaijani court has once again extended the pre-trial detention period of Armenian benefactor and former Prime Minister of Artsakh, Ruben Vardanyan. Vardanyan has been unlawfully held in a Baku prison since September 27, 2023.

For eight months, the Azerbaijani authorities have disregarded international law and human dignity by keeping Ruben Vardanyan in custody without trial and due process. They continue to refuse to disclose when a proper trial or hearings will take place regarding their so-called 'charges.' The decision to extend Vardanyan's detention for another five months, without due legal procedure, is yet another gross violation of fundamental human rights.

As international pressure on Azerbaijan continues to intensify through a European Parliament resolution, the U.S. Congress's sanctions bill, and a resolution from the French Senate, we—the Vardanyan family—urge the international community, including governments, businesses, and civil society representatives, to demand the unconditional release of Ruben Vardanyan and the other 22 Armenian political prisoners if Azerbaijan wishes to retain the privilege of hosting COP 29, which it has proclaimed as the 'Peace COP.'

The repeated extensions of preventive detention, without an individualized and specific rationale for denying release on bail, are yet another gross violation of Ruben Vardanyan's rights, according to the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, to which Azerbaijan is a party. The only explanation for these extensions is that this case is political and that Azerbaijan has no actual evidence against Ruben Vardanyan to convict him. Therefore, he must be released immediately and unconditionally,” said Jared Genser, the family’s international legal advisor, as stated in the announcement.