Increasing reports of in-prison beatings and deteriorating health have prompted a wave of appeals to international organizations and government to intervene in Ruben Vardanyan’s case as the sham trials of the former Artsakh and other Artsakh leaders continue in Baku.
Vardanyan announced on February 19 that he had started a hunger strike to protest what he called the “political show” that his trial has been turned into by Azerbaijani authorities.
His international lawyer, Jared Genser, issued a statement on Wednesday, sounding the alarm on his deteriorating health. Genser called on all international organizations with access to Azerbaijani prisoners to request permission to visit Vardanyan. “As well, I ask that independent trial observers monitor Ruben’s trial in Baku to ensure his rights are not further violated during the proceedings,” he added.
“I call on the Government of Azerbaijan to allow a doctor from our international team to visit him in prison, to immediately provide all necessary medical care, including regular monitoring of his condition, that he needs, and to postpone the trial through the remainder of his hunger strike,” said Genser.
“I also call on world leaders, especially Armenian Prime Minister Pashinyan, to condemn the show-trial against Ruben as politically-motivated and unlawful,” the lawyer stated.
Vardanyan, who was captured along with other Artsakh leaders in the days following the brutal Azerbaijani attack in September 2023 that led to the forced displacement of Artsakh’s Armenian population, is being tried separately and is facing upward of 45 charges.
More than 25 non-governmental organizations on Thursday called on the International Committee of Red Cross to visit Vardanyan and make the appropriate medical assessments, including issues related to his safety and well-being.
In the statement addressed to the ICRC president Mirjana Spoljaric Egger, the organizations called on the group to:
Conduct an immediate visit to Ruben Vardanyan to carry out an independent medical assessment.
Ensure impartial monitoring of his health condition and guarantee that he receives the necessary medical care.
Address the causes of his hunger strike and mediate to ensure the protection of his fundamental rights. In this regard, special attention should be given to uncovering the causes of the evident facial injuries, for which the Azerbaijani side bears a particular obligation.
Present an impartial report on the detention conditions and treatment of Ruben Vardanyan and other Armenian prisoners, in line with international standards.
Take immediate measures to end the hunger strike while simultaneously addressing the underlying concerns that have led to this extreme step. It is essential that the ICRC’s next scheduled visit does not come too late.
Conduct regular visits to all Armenian prisoners held in Azerbaijani prisons to ensure their fair treatment.
Act as an independent mediator between Armenian prisoners and Azerbaijani authorities to ensure compliance with international humanitarian law and advocate for their immediate release.
In a video message, Vardanyan’s son, David, urged the international community to promptly act on behalf of his father.
“We cannot stand in silence and let this happen. If those Armenian prisoners, including my father, are not freed, no Armenian is safe. This has been a clear sign sent by the Azerbaijani government to all Armenians worldwide. We must all unite, stand together, and demand that the prosecution of Armenians for their religion, for their ethnicity, will not be tolerated. This is the time for us to stand together and put aside our differences as global Armenians. He stands at risk of facing life imprisonment in a country that mistreats its own citizens, in a country that has been ruled by one family for over 40 years. We all know that there is no independent judicial system in Azerbaijan and that these trials are all politically motivated,” David Vardanyan said.
“Finally, I want to speak directly to the Armenian diaspora in the United States. Right now, the current U.S. administration has highlighted that protecting the rights of Christians and Christian heritage around the world is a national priority. So, I urge you to speak to all your local electorates and your senators — write letters, speak to them. Speak to your priests, get the Christian community organized in the U.S., because I am sure that this topic will be an important issue for the U.S. administration, if we bring it to their attention,” added David Vardanyan.
