Human rights activist on Ruben Vardanyan`s trial: We see trend of  delays in processes and increasing isolation from outside world

ArmInfo. The entire purpose of the "trials" in Baku against Armenian prisoners was to delegitimize Artsakh as a political entity and publicly punish those  Armenians who worked for the benefit of Artsakh. Siranush Sahakyan,  head of the Center for International and Comparative Law and  representative of Armenian prisoners at the European Court of Human  Rights, stated this during a press conference on January 17.

She noted that over 150 "trials" were held in 2025, during which the  actions attributed to them were not proven. According to Sahakyan,  with the cessation of the Red Cross's activities in Azerbaijan, the  authorities are attempting to demonstrate the effectiveness of the  Ombudsman's work in the context of respecting the rights of Armenian  prisoners as an alternative to the Red Cross. The media are  publishing photographs supposedly demonstrating compliance with  humanitarian standards in Azerbaijan. "We do not share this approach  and have informed our international partners that the Ombudsman's  Office in Azerbaijan is not independent, and the assistance it  provided to Armenian prisoners cannot be considered satisfactory,"  the head of the Center emphasized.

She reported that, as a result of agreements reached at the end of  December, a visit by representatives of the Geneva Office of the Red  Cross was arranged. Noting that this was a one-time visit, the human  rights activist did not rule out its repetition if new agreements  were reached. According to Sahakyan, the visit had a positive  psychological impact on the prisoners and their families. In  particular, letters and video messages were given to the families.

The human rights activist specifically touched on the situation  surrounding Ruben Vardanyan, noting a tendency toward protracted  proceedings. In this regard, she reported that the December 27  hearing, at which Vardanyan was supposed to have the right to make  the final statement, was postponed due to a number of alleged  circumstances. The human rights activist was unable to identify the  reasons for the protracted proceedings, but reported that Vardanyan's  isolation from the outside world has increased. If previously he was  given the opportunity to talk to his family on the phone once a week,  now this is not possible.